Condition Lookup

Suicide

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Facts

Note: This article is not intended as a replacement for suicide counselling. If you or someone you know may be at risk of committing suicide, contact emergency services in your area immediately to get professional advice. Your local phone book will have the telephone numbers of distress lines and support agencies.

On average, about 4,500 Canadians take their own lives every year – this often exceeds the number of deaths caused by road accidents. Although more women attempt suicide, about 3 times as many men as women die from their suicide attempt. The reason for this is that men generally use more lethal means such as firearms, hanging, or asphyxiation (suffocation). Women often use drug overdoses or asphyxiation, or they cut themselves. Firearms are used in about 15% of all suicides. Of all deaths that involve firearms, about 80% are estimated to be suicides.

Certain groups have disproportionately high suicide rates compared to the general population:

  • adolescents – in Canada, suicide is the second leading cause of all death among people who are 15 to 34 years of age
  • senior men over the age of 80
  • prison inmates, for whom suicide is the leading cause of death
  • people of Indigenous descent, particularly amongst youths
  • people with prior histories of attempted suicide

Causes

While the cause of suicide is unknown, some common risk factors include:

  • major psychiatric illness – in particular, mood disorders (e.g., depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia)
  • substance abuse (primarily alcohol abuse)
  • family history of suicide
  • long term difficulties with relationships with friends and family
  • losing hope or the will to live
  • significant losses in a person’s life, such as the death of a loved one, loss of an important relationship, loss of employment or self-esteem
  • unbearable emotional or physical pain

Treatment and Prevention

When suicidal thoughts are brought on by an immediate interpersonal life event, then reliving this event or talking with a close friend or family member may resolve the crisis.

Individuals considering suicide should have a professional evaluation by a family physician or mental health professional to consider any of the following treatments:

  • ongoing psychological counselling (e.g., psychotherapy, marital therapy)
  • medical intervention (e.g., more aggressive treatment of a pain syndrome)
  • psychiatric treatment (e.g., treatment of a mood disorder, substance abuse, or schizophrenia)

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2025. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Suicide

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