Statistics

• In the past three decades, more than 100,000 Canadians died by suicide. These deaths include people from all socioeconomic, age, gender, culture and ethnic groups. (The CASP Blueprint for a Canadian National Suicide Prevention Strategy, October, 2004) [CASP 2004].
• Of the 82 countries reporting suicide statistics to the WHO, Canada ranks 26th putting it in the top third. [CASP 2004]
• Suicide rates in Canada have been rising sharply for nearly five decades. Suicide deaths in Canada numbered 3764 in 2003 (BC Partners for Mental Health and Addictions) [BCPMHA]
• BC’s suicide rates have remained fairly stable, roughly 500 per year [BCPMHA]
• Of all age groups in Canada, men over the age of 85 have the highest rate of completed suicide rates. [BCPMHA]
• Suicide is the leading cause of death for men aged 25 to 29 and 40 to 44 (1999). [CASP 2004]
• The rate of completed suicides is three to four times as high for males, while females are more likely to attempt suicide than are males [CASP 2004]
• Suicide is the second leading cause of death for BC youth aged 12-18.
• 7% of female youth and 3% of male youth in BC reported making a suicide attempt. (McCreary Adolescent Health Survey 2008).
• The suicide rate for Aboriginal youth in BC is almost three times higher than for non-Aboriginal youth (11% vs. 4%).
• The suicide rate in Inuit communities ranges from two to six times higher than the national average. [CASP 2004]
• In 1999, suicide was the leading cause of death for First Nations youth between 10 and 19 years. [CASP 2004]
• Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth are at a higher risk of attempting suicide (28% vs. 4% of heterosexual youth) [McCreary 2008]
• 70 to 90 per cent of people who have made a lethal attempt, or died by suicide, were suffering from one or more unmanaged mental health issues – such as protracted depression or anxiety, bi-polarity, psychosis, and/or substance abuse.