Prevention of Suicides on the Bloor Street Viaduct:

Mental Health Reform/Public Education and Safety Measures.

The Urban Environment and Development Committee recommends the adoption of the report (April 14, 1998) from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services.

The Urban Environment and Development Committee reports, for the information of Council, having:

 (1)received the report (April 15, 1998) from the Interim Functional Lead, Transportation; and

(2)directed that a copy of the aforementioned reports be forwarded to the Municipal Grants Review Committee for information when the Committee commences its consideration of the Community Grants program.

The Urban Environment and Development Committee submits the following report (April 14, 1998) from the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services:

Purpose:

To respond to the Urban Environment and Development Committee=s request for a public education program and improved services in the area of suicide prevention.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)City Council urge the Ontario Minister of Health to make a financial commitment to the

Mental Health Reform Strategy by:

(a)allocating funding immediately to ensure that a comprehensive crisis response system is in place for Toronto;

(b)ensuring that the community services dealing with suicide (i.e., distress centres, phone-in lines) are adequately funded to meet increased demands for these services; and

(c)implementing key components of related community-based services (e.g., case management, housing, etc.) as quickly as possible; and

(2)the Medical Officer of Health report via the Board of Health on the range of prevention and educational services already in place within the City and, in consultation with the Canadian Mental Health Association, identify further educational components needed to better equip the general public in the area of suicide awareness and prevention.

Background:

On March 23 and 24, 1998, the Urban Environment and Development Committee dealt with various reports and communications regarding the prevention of suicides on the Bloor Street Viaduct. The Committee requested the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services, in consultation with appropriate City officials, to submit a report regarding:

(a)improved services which can be implemented in an effort to prevent suicides; and

(b)a public education program which would set out actions that should be taken by members of the public if confronted with a potential suicide situation.

Comments:

In December 1996, the Metro Toronto District Health Council released its report, entitled AMetropolitan Toronto Mental Health Reform Final Report - System Design and Implementation Recommendations@. This report clearly outlined the need for a minimum $5 million investment to ensure effective crisis response in the new City of Toronto. The crisis response system design addressed areas such as assessment, stabilization, accommodation and linkages. In order for a crisis response system to work, it cannot be implemented in isolation. Critical aspects of related sub-systems (e.g., housing, individual support, treatment and rehabilitation) need to be addressed in tandem or brought up to speed to ensure a co-ordinated, responsive system. Although the Ministry of Health has identified crisis as a priority area for implementation of mental health reform and has begun discussion with key providers, no commitment for additional funding has been made.

The former City of Toronto Department of Public Health has played a key role in the area of suicide prevention over the years. Staff have been involved in mental health planning at both the Metro and City level. Public Health staff along with Housing department staff were instrumental in the development and implementation of the Gerstein Centre (i.e., a 24-hour crisis intervention centre). The mental health program staff supported the development of suicide prevention networks in the former city. These networks provide suicide prevention knowledge, skills and resources to the network members which consist of staff of social services and health-related organizations. In 1997, mental health staff provided 66 educational sessions on suicide prevention reaching 1,518 people. They also had 330 direct individual/case management contacts for suicide and/or at-risk clients. As well, they were involved in a number of activities such as community development and advocacy related to suicide prevention.

An important factor that needs to be considered in suicide prevention is the knowledge and attitude of both professionals and the general public towards suicide. To this end, continued staff support and ongoing training is important. Furthermore, a key public education strategy would ensure that the general public knows how to act immediately if they feel that someone is at risk of suicide by involving others who can help (e.g., make contact with the police, emergency services, or a hospital). It should be noted that the Canadian Mental Health Association is a major community player in the development and provision of educational programs to the general public. To this end, it would be useful for Toronto Public Health staff to consult with this organization to ensure that appropriate linkages and co-ordination of educational programs to the general public are in place.

Conclusion:

Suicide is one of the major causes of premature death in our community and it is important that an effective response system is in place. However, suicide prevention needs to be seen in the context of mental health reform which requires a financial commitment and timely implementation by the Province.

Public Health will continue to work in collaboration with others to address public education and ensure effective responses to mental health needs in the community.

Contact Name:

Dr. Sheela Basrur, Medical Officer of Health, 392-7402.

The Urban Environment and Development Committee also submits the following report (April 15, 1998) from the Interim Functional Lead, Transportation, entitled "Prince Edward (Bloor Street) Viaduct Safety Measures":

Purpose:

To respond to a request from the Urban Environment and Development Committee that a report be submitted on this matter.

Funding Sources and Requirements:

The Works and Emergency Services Department does not have funds allocated in either its Current Budget or Capital Budget for 1998 for installing barriers or safety netting on the Bloor Street Viaduct. Preliminary estimates indicate that the installation costs will range from $400,000.00 to $700,000.00 plus operating and maintenance costs ranging from$10,000.00 to $25,000.00 per year. These estimates are based on the provision of basic safety systems and do not include any costs associated with architectural or artistic enhancements.

Recommendation:

It is recommended that this report be received for information.

Background and Discussion:

At its meeting on March 23 and 24, 1998, the Urban Environment and Development Committee had before it a number of reports and communications regarding the prevention of suicides on the Bloor Street Viaduct.

The Urban Environment and Development Committee adopted four motions including:

 "(4)referred the following motions by Councillor Moscoe to the Interim Functional Lead, Transportation, with a request that he submit a report thereon to the next meeting of the Urban Environment and Development Committee, scheduled to be held on April 20, 1998:

 "That the Urban Environment and Development Committee recommend that Council:

(a)support in principle the concept of barriers or safety netting to avert suicides on the Bloor Street Viaduct;

(b)refer the design of the barriers or safety netting to the Toronto Historical Board, the Interim Functional Lead, Transportation, and the Interim Functional Lead, Culture, Arts and Heritage, with a request that the design process be in accordance with the City's policies and that an artist be included on the design team; and

(c)that this process be fast-tracked.".

At the same meeting, the Urban Environment and Development Committee requested that a report on this matter be submitted to City Council for its meeting on April 16, 1998. This report, which is attached hereto, summarizes the progress that has been made to date with respect to this matter and provides all of the information which is available at this time.

Contact Name:

Mr. Les Kelman, Assistant Director, Construction, 392-5372.

(Report dated April 7, 1998, from theInterim Functional Lead, Transportation,referred to in the foregoing report.)

Purpose:

To report on progress that has been made to date with respect to this matter and, specifically, on any short-term initiatives that can be implemented immediately.

Funding Requirements:

The funding requirements for installing safety devices on the Bloor Street Viaduct have not yet been finalized.

Recommendation:

It is recommended that this report be received by City Council.

Background:

At its meeting on March 23 and 24, 1998, the Urban Environment and Development Committee had before it a number of reports and communications regarding the prevention of suicides on the Bloor Street Viaduct.

The Urban Environment and Development Committee adopted a number of recommendations including:

"(2)requested the Interim Functional Lead, Transportation, to consult with the Bridge Society of the Schizophrenia Society of Ontario and submit a report directly to Council, for consideration with this matter on April 16, 1998, on any progress that has been made with respect to this matter and, specifically, on any short-term initiatives that can be implemented immediately."

Discussion:

To date, the following progress has been made:

(1)Meeting:

On March 31, 1998, representatives of the following agencies participated in an initial working team meeting:

(i)Schizophrenia Society of Ontario;

(ii)Council on Suicide Prevention;

(iii)Toronto Historical Board;

(iv)Urban Design Section, City of Toronto; and

(v)Transportation, Works and Emergency Services Department.

(2)Work Plan:

At the March 31, 1998, meeting the following Work Plan was adopted.

(3)Schedule:

The working team has targeted the June 15, 1998 Urban Environment and Development Committee (UEDC) meeting for submitting a report.

(4)Short-Term Measures:

Contact has been initiated with Bell Canada regarding the installation of four telephones on the Bloor Street Viaduct, two on the north side and two on the south side. The intent is that each telephone would have two "hot lines", one to 9-1-1 and the other to the Toronto Distress Centre. In addition, the Chief of Police has been requested to place the Bloor Street Viaduct under special attention for potential suicides.

Conclusion:

Staff, in conjunction with other interested agencies, are proceeding as quickly as possible to develop recommendations to submit to the Urban Environment and Development Committee.

Contact Name:

Mr. Les Kelman, Assistant Director, Construction, 392-5372.