Suicide in Canada
Learn about the impact of suicide in Canada and populations most at risk.
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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.
Higher-risk populations
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
- 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.
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: Warning signs and how to help
- Mental health support: Get help
- Suicide in Canada (archived infographic)
- Suicide in Canada: Key Statistics 2016-2018 (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
- Suicide Surveillance Indicator Framework
- Federal Framework for Suicide Prevention-Progress Report 2020
- 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
- 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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