Suicide in Canada

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

On this page

• Impact of suicide in Canada
• Populations with higher risk for suicide
• Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide
• Suicide rates in Canada
• For more information

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:

• men and boys
• people serving federal sentences^{Footnote 3}
• survivors of suicide loss and survivors of a suicide attempt
• some First Nation and Métis communities, especially among youth^{Footnote 4}
• people who live in Inuit regions in Canada^{Footnote 4}

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+ youth^{Footnote 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

• About suicide
• Preventing suicide: When and how to help
• Mental health support: Get help
• Mental health and wellness in First Nations and Inuit communities
• Suicide prevention in Indigenous communities
• Infographic: Suicidal ideation among adults in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Map of Canadian Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic
• Inequalities in the mental health of adults before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: data tool
• Suicide in Canada: Key statistics (infographic)
• Find a crisis centre: Crisis centres across Canada
• Centre for Suicide Prevention
• Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health: Suicide risk and prevention of suicide
• Mental Health Commission of Canada: Suicide prevention
• Association québécoise de prévention du suicide (French only)
• Centre de prévention du suicide de Québec (French only)

Resources for professionals

• Suicide Surveillance Indicator Framework
• Federal Framework for Suicide Prevention: 2022 Progress Report
• Statistics Canada information on suicide, including tables and articles
• National Inuit Suicide Prevention Strategy (PDF, 12.2 MB)
• Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention
• First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum Framework – Summary Report
• Arctic Council: Sharing Hope: Circumpolar Perspectives on Promising Practices for Promoting Mental Wellness and Resilience
• World Health Organization: LIVE LIFE: An implementation guide for suicide prevention in countries