Suicide in Canada

Learn about the impact of suicide in Canada and populations with higher risk for suicide.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 9-1-1.

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8. Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through 9-8-8: Suicide Crisis Helpline.

Help is also available through Kids Help Phone (1-800-668-6868) and the Hope for Wellness Help Line (1-855-242-3310).

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Impact of suicide in Canada

Suicide impacts people of all ages and backgrounds in Canada.

Every year, approximately 4,500 people in Canada die by suicide,Footnote 1 which is equivalent to 12 people dying by suicide every day.

For every person lost to suicide, many more experience thoughts of suicide or attempt suicide.

Every day, more than 200 people in Canada attempt suicide.Footnote 2

For every death by suicide, at least 7 to 10 loved ones are significantly affected by the loss.

Populations with higher risk for suicide

In Canada, the following groups have higher rates or risk for suicide:

Women have higher rates of self-harm. Self-harm can be a risk factor for suicide.

Thoughts of suicide and suicide-related behaviours are more frequent among 2SLGBTQI+ youthFootnote 5 in comparison to their non-LGBTQ peers.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or suicide-related behaviour, learn about when and how to help.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide

Adults in Canada experienced increased thoughts of suicide during the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the pandemic, in 2019, 2.7% of adults in Canada reported thoughts of suicide. In spring 2021, this percentage rose significantly to 4.2%.Footnote 6 However, it will take time to understand the impact on the rate of deaths by suicide in Canada.

Suicide rates in Canada

The Suicide in Canada infographic will show you in an easy to understand way how widespread suicide is in Canada. The more you know about suicide, the more you'll understand why it's an important public health issue.

For more information

References

Footnote 1

Statistics Canada.Canadian Vital Statistics - Death Database (CVSD).

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Footnote 2

Statistics Canada. Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS).

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Footnote 3

Public Safety Canada. 2020 Corrections and Conditional Release Statistical Overview.

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Footnote 4

Mohan B, T. M. Suicide among First Nations people, Métis and Inuit (2011-2016): Findings from the 2011 Canadian Census Health and Environment Cohort (CanCHEC).

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Footnote 5

This refers to those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, Two-Spirit or queer and questioning youth.

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Footnote 6

Liu L, Pollock NJ, Contreras G, Tonmyr L, Thompson W. Prevalence of suicidal ideation among adults in Canada: Results of the second Survey on COVID-19 and mental health. Health Rep. 2022;33(5):13-21.

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