A spokesperson for the BC Coroners Service is hoping that the government and academics can answer the one question they cannot.

Andy Watson says the Coroners investigate the how, when, where and what of every unnatural death, but says they cannot answer the why.

“The ultimate goal any time the Coroners Service investigates a death is that we can find information that ultimately can help to prevent death in similar circumstances,” he said. “We’re hoping that not only those within government that are making policy, but also those on the front lines can better understand the audience.”

New data from the Coroners shows a slight drop in the number of suicide deaths in B.C. in 2017, compared to the three years prior.

Watson says “the why” is an important question that too deserves an answer, especially in this case when referring to deaths by suicide.

“It’s like we are dealing the hand out to all the other card players and now it’s in their hands to take a look at this and go, ‘okay, here’s what we can do with this data,” added Watson.

“This is maybe what is working. This is maybe what is not working. and to be able to look at this data and say who’s most at risk, where do we need to focus our intervention efforts.”

The latest data reveals that middle aged men were over-represented in the number of suicide deaths across the province.

“We’re having a discussion over a very difficult topic, something I think that people shy away from,” he said. “It’s so important that we have these conversations about suicide, because when more than 500 British Columbians, people in our own very province here, are dying from suicide, we know that there are some concerns.”

Watson is urging people who are struggling with mental illness or suicidal thoughts to reach out for help.