P.E.I. needs suicide study, mental health group says

Health experts say more research is needed about suicide rates and education in P.E.I.

There are about 15 suicides a year on P.E.I. but there's never been a comprehensive study on suicide trends in the province.

Workers at the Canadian Mental Health Association say they often get desperate calls from people talking about suicide.

The agency notes that people are more willing, nowadays, to seek help for mental health issues.

"It seems to be easier for them to take that step to reach out for help," Pat Doyle, the association's suicide prevention co-ordinator, told CBC News.

The association puts on suicide prevention workshops for junior high school students, but they don't have local information on what leads to suicides on P.E.I.

Doyle said that information would help the association find more appropriate resources.

"We certainly look at research and what that tells us about suicide and suicidal behaviour, so that will help us to target our efforts so that we're using the resources that we have in the most effective way," she said.

The association has begun working with the Medical Society of PEI and Health PEI to launch a study to track suicides.

The society said research into suicide trends would help them target Islanders who need help. It said it would ask government to fund research.

Saturday is World Suicide Prevention Day.