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Study: Suicidal thoughts among off-reserve First Nations, Métis and Inuit adults aged 18 and older, 2012

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Released: 2016-10-13

In 2012, between 5% and 11% of off-reserve First Nations, Métis and Inuit aged 18 to 25 reported having had suicidal thoughts in the previous 12 months, and between 16% and 27% reported having had suicidal thoughts at least once during their lifetime. Aboriginal young adults were twice as likely as non-Aboriginal young adults to report having had suicidal thoughts.

High self-worth was associated with a lower likelihood of suicidal thoughts in the past year among off-reserve First Nations, Métis and Inuit young adults. The prevalence of suicidal thoughts was also lower in some Aboriginal groups for those reporting parental involvement, strong family ties and enrollment in postsecondary education.

Prevalence of suicidal thoughts, both during one's lifetime and the previous year, was not significantly different between the two sexes. However, Aboriginal women had a marginally higher prevalence of lifetime suicidal thoughts than Aboriginal men.

Off-reserve First Nations and Métis adults aged 26 to 59 had a higher prevalence of lifetime suicidal thoughts than those aged 18 to 25 and those aged 60 and older. These differences among age groups were not evident among Inuit adults.

These findings were taken from the article "Past-year suicidal thoughts among off-reserve First Nations, Métis and Inuit adults aged 18 to 25: Prevalence and associated characteristics" and fact sheet "Lifetime and past-year suicidal thoughts among off-reserve First Nations, Métis and Inuit adults, aged 18 years and over, Canada, 2012," which are based on data from the 2012 Aboriginal Peoples Survey and the 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey – Mental Health.

Mood/anxiety disorders, drug use, hopelessness and lack of high self-worth associated with higher likelihood of suicidal thoughts over the past year

After controlling for other factors, several characteristics were found to be linked to suicidal thoughts among off-reserve First Nations, Métis and Inuit adults aged 18 to 25. For example, those who reported having been diagnosed with a mood and/or anxiety disorder, having used drugs, or having felt hopeless were more likely to have had suicidal thoughts in the previous year.

Inuit with a mood and/or anxiety disorder (25%) were two and a half times more likely to have had suicidal thoughts over the past year than those without such disorders (10%). Furthermore, Inuit women with such disorders (37%) were more than five times more likely to have had suicidal thoughts than Inuit men with similar disorders (7%).

In contrast, those who reported high self-worth were less likely to have had suicidal thoughts. For example, First Nations young adults who had high self-worth (1%) were less likely to have had suicidal thoughts than those without it (20%). These factors were also associated with suicidal thoughts in non-Aboriginal adults.

Parental involvement, strong family ties and enrollment in postsecondary education associated with lower likelihood of suicidal thoughts in some groups

Inuit young adults who reported parental involvement were less likely to have had suicidal thoughts than those who did not.

Off-reserve First Nations young adults who reported having strong extended family ties or being enrolled in postsecondary education were less likely to have had suicidal thoughts compared with those who did not report these.

  Note to readers

The findings presented in this release are based on data from the 2012 Aboriginal Peoples Survey (APS) and the 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey – Mental Health (CCHS-MH).

The 2012 APS was a national survey of First Nations living off-reserve, Métis and Inuit aged six or older. The survey excluded residents of Indian reserves and settlements and certain First Nations communities in Yukon and the Northwest Territories.

The 2012 CCHS–MH was a cross-sectional survey of the mental health status of Canadians and their use of mental health services. The survey was administered to the household population aged 15 or older in the provinces, and excluded residents of Indian reserves and settlements, full-time members of the Canadian Forces and the institutionalized population.

The article "Past-year suicidal thoughts among off-reserve First Nations, Métis and Inuit adults aged 18 to 25: Prevalence and associated characteristics" looks at the prevalence of suicidal thoughts and examines the association between health, socioeconomic factors and demographic factors, and suicidal thoughts over the previous year. No causal relationships between these factors and suicidal thoughts can be inferred because of the cross-sectional nature of the data.

Products

The article "Past-year suicidal thoughts among off-reserve First Nations, Métis and Inuit adults aged 18 to 25: Prevalence and associated characteristics" and fact sheet "Lifetime and past-year suicidal thoughts among off-reserve First Nations, Métis and Inuit adults, aged 18 years and over, Canada, 2012" are now available as part of the publication Aboriginal Peoples Survey, 2012 (Catalogue number89-653-X) from the Browse by key resource module of our website, under Publications.

Contact information

For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; STATCAN.infostats-infostats.STATCAN@canada.ca) or Media Relations (613-951-4636; STATCAN.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.STATCAN@canada.ca).

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