Sunday is World Suicide Prevention Day. Suicide is a very serious problem – the World Health Organization reports someone takes their life every 40 seconds. Mike Sosteric of Athabasca University explains today in The Conversation Canada why so many young people are susceptible to suicide. “One factor is what I call ‘toxic socialization’ — a process of physical or emotional childhood and adolescent abuse,” writes Prof. Sosteric. “Those who grow up in toxic environments are up to 12 times more likely to experience addiction, depression and to try to commit suicide.” Read the whole article to learn how those exposed to toxic socialization can be treated.

More than 25 years ago, the United Nations signed an important human rights treaty known as the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Nations that signed the treaty must agree to respect and protect the rights of children in a number of different ways. A fascinating pilot project in British Columbia, conducted by Michelle Superle of the University of The Fraser Valley, took elements of the UNCRC and used children’s fiction books to engage kindergarten and Grade 5 students on the concepts of rights and responsibility. The purpose of the program was to reduce bullying in the classroom. Prof. Superle’s article about the pilot project is fascinating and if you have young children, I encourage you to read it.

And speaking of reading, we offer another in our series of “Recommended Reading” from our academic authors. This time around, Michael Armstrong of Brock University shares the top three books he recommends for guidance on making the most of your career at any age.

Regards,