Suicide Statistics

• Provincial suicide trends from the 1950's to the 1990's: Only 2 provinces have shown a decrease in suicide rates. The other provinces have shown increases ranging from minimal change to a 280% increase in completed suicides.
• In 1998, 3,698 Canadians took their own lives, an average of about 10 suicides per day.
• 70% of individuals will not seek help due to embarrassment, shame, fear, stigma and/or blame.

• Three times as many women suffer from depression than men, however men complete suicide 4 times more often than women.
• Over 163,000 Albertans are affected by suicide and suicidal behavior every year.
• Suicide has been the leading cause of injury deaths in Alberta since 1992.
• Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people under the age of 35 in Canada.
• Suicide is the leading cause of death for males between ages 10 – 49 in Canada.

• Suicide is common in all age groups across Canada from 10 to the very elderly with the current highest rate being among males between 25 and 44 years.
• The rate of suicide among Native youth is five to six times higher than the Canadian average.
• Those who have attempted suicide are at a greater risk of eventually dying by suicide.
• Current government funding to reduce suicide in Alberta averages less than $0.40 per Albertan per year.
• A 1990 Canadian study showed that up to 70% of high school students have considered suicide.
• These estimates do not even attempt to assess the severe grief and trauma associated with suicidal behavior and its effect on families, friends, co-workers, students and the general public.
• In Canada, for 1996, suicide claimed 30% more lives than motor vehicle accidents.

* Of all the Provinces, Alberta has the most detailed statistics on suicide.
Sources: Alberta Chief Medical Examiner, Alberta Health Vital Statistics, Alberta Injury Prevention Centre, Mental Health Unit — Health Canada, SIEC Database, Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples.