Wisdom2Action, in partnership with the MHCC and PHAC, is exploring gaps in youth suicide prevention-related research and knowledge mobilization in Canada. This initiative represents an exciting opportunity for youth, families, researchers and service providers to weigh-in on Canada's Suicide Prevention Research Strategy, and help ensure future research is informed by the needs and perspectives of young people, families, researchers and service providers.
Presenters and slide deck
Alyssa Frampton
Alyssa Frampton, BA., works at the intersections of community, rights, health and policy. Alyssa became passionate about youth inclusion in health as a young person who experienced significant barriers to receiving the healthcare information and services she needed. Over the past 8 years, Alyssa has led and advised many initiatives focused on youth and community engagement, youth mental health, harm reduction and advocacy. Alyssa applies a rights-based approach to her work and fundamentally believes that everyone should have access to a safe place to live and to what they need to be healthy. Alyssa is an associate with Wisdom2Action, sits on the ACCESS Open Minds National Youth Council, and is involved in several other projects around promoting community engagement and improving health outcomes for all.
Lisa Lachance
Lisa has been Executive Director of the W2A Network, the foundation for the new social enterprise, W2A Consulting Limited, since April 2013.
Lisa worked with the federal government in Ottawa, in children’s rights at the Canadian International Development Agency and at the Privy Council Office. Lisa was the inaugural Director of Policy at the Nova Scotia Department of Finance.
Lisa has consulted for Canadian, international, and United Nations organizations on knowledge translation and mobilization, children’s rights, youth and community engagement, and gender-based violence. Her areas of expertise include policy development, facilitation, performance measurement and evaluation, and knowledge translation.
Lisa holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Development Studies and a Masters of Public Administration. Lisa is a passionate parent, professional, and academic advocate for improving access to the supports needed for young people’s well-being and mental health. She is currently a PhD candidate in Health at Dalhousie University.
Key Learnings
- Youth suicide prevention is multifaceted, and touches on a number of themes including racism, colonialism, homelessness, substance use, bullying, homophobia, transphobia, chronic pain, mood disorders, neurodiversities and eating disorders.
- Existing research often lacks youth engagement which is crucial to effective suicide prevention approaches for youth.