Changing police culture: raising awareness of the importance of mental health

Master's Project (M.A.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2017The suicide rate involving police officers has produced alarming statistics for decades. Until recently, however, little has been done to prevent suicide in law enforcement and even fewer efforts have been made to change the root of the problem. This paper reviews why a law enforcement officer may choose to take their life, looks at preexisting programs and resources that departments can choose to embrace, and supplies departments with a new approach to destigmatizing suicide within the police culture starting at the academy level

Mapping the diverse community economy sector in Christchurch

This project seeks to produce a database, conceptual map, and a literal map of the diverse economic activities contributing to both coping with change and the future renewal of Christchurch. Abstract Post-quake Christchurch has seen a flourishing of alternative economic activities that work to directly support the wellbeing of residents, often through the volunteer and community sector. This project seeks to produce a database, conceptual map, and a literal map of the diverse economic activities contributing to both coping with change and the future renewal of Christchurch. This short paper will outline the project’s goals and theoretical foundations, and will provide opportunities for community groups to register their interest in participating in this mapping project

Expanding the concept of ‘care’: A narrative study exploring lessons from end-of-life patients to inform ‘Medical Assistance in Dying’ curriculum in Canada

This research primarily investigates what we can learn from patient experiences that can help inform the expected curricula that will be developed in response to the new Canadian legislation regarding Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID). This is a compelling area of research because of the rapidly evolving attitudes in the general population — largely driven by terminally ill patients asserting their legal rights over their bodies and the decision to put an end to their lives as a consequence of the illness they face. The issue of medical assistance in dying has been patient initiated and patient driven. Through the lens of narrative critical research, the listeners are witness to participants exploring through different social media forums, their end-of-life stories. The results of these participant narratives were significant in that primary themes were drawn despite being from different cities, countries, gender, and socio-economics. Implications of this work can inform curriculum for health professionals, in particular physicians who must expand their concept of ‘care’ in light of the new legislation