Background Information: Communities Addressing Suicide Prevention (CAST) officially launched in September 2006 as a direct partnership between the Canadian Mental Health Association Nova Scotia Division and the Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness. CAST utilizes a population health approach that aims to improve the knowledge and understanding of Nova Scotians regarding suicide, while considering the complex and varying factors that can impact a person’s health and suicide risk. The work of CAST is guided by the Nova Scotia Strategic Framework to Address Suicide and its sex strategic goals, which include Leadership, Infrastructure, and Partnerships, Awareness and Understanding, Prevention, Intervention, Postvention (support after an experience with suicide) and Knowledge Development…
