Suicide in Canada
Learn about the impact of suicide in Canada and populations most at risk.
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What is the impact of suicide in Canada?
Suicide impacts people of all ages and backgrounds in Canada.
Every day, an average of more than 10 Canadians die by suicide.
For every person lost to suicide, many more experience thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts.
For every death by suicide, at least 7 to 10 survivors are significantly affected by the loss.
What populations are at higher risk for suicide?
In Canada, the following groups have higher rates or risk of suicide:
- men and boys
- people serving federal sentences
- survivors of suicide loss and survivors of a suicide attempt
- youth (15 to 24 year olds)
- second leading cause of death for youth
- some First Nation and Métis communities, especially among youth
- all Inuit regions in Canada
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 LGBTQ youth in comparison to their non-LGBTQ peers. This refers to those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, Two-Spirit or queer/questioning youth.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or suicide-related behaviour, help is available.
What are the rates of suicide 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: Warning signs and how to help
- Mental health support: Get help
- Suicide in Canada (infographic)
- 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 assessment and prevention
- Mental Health Commission of Canada: Suicide prevention
- Association québécoise pour la prévention du suicide (available in French only)
- Centre de prévention du suicide de Québec (available in French only)
Resources for professionals
- Data cubes on suicide
- Statistics Canada information on suicide, including tables and articles
- National Inuit Suicide Prevention Strategy
- Overview of Federal Initiatives in Suicide Prevention
- Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention
- National Aboriginal Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy
- First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum Framework
- Arctic Council: Sharing Hope: Circumpolar Perspectives on Promising Practices for Promoting Mental Wellness and Resilience
- World Health Organization: Preventing Suicide: A Global Imperative
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