Suicide in CanadaSuicide in Canada

What are the causes?What are the causes?

Suicide occurs in all societies, but rates Suicide occurs in all societies, but rates are different from country to countryare different from country to country

It is still a mystery, but sociologists It is still a mystery, but sociologists over the years have tried to explain it over the years have tried to explain it according to their ‘theory’ or according to their ‘theory’ or ‘theoretical perspective’‘theoretical perspective’

This is an issue that raises many This is an issue that raises many ethical questions – is it wrong? Can it ethical questions – is it wrong? Can it be prevented?be prevented?

The Rates in CanadaThe Rates in Canada

See overhead statsSee overhead stats

The RatesThe Rates The suicide rate for Canadians, as measured by The suicide rate for Canadians, as measured by

the WHO, is 15 per 100,000 people. Yet, the WHO, is 15 per 100,000 people. Yet, according to numerous studies, rates are even according to numerous studies, rates are even higher among specific groups. higher among specific groups.

For example, the suicide rate for Inuit peoples For example, the suicide rate for Inuit peoples living in Northern Canada is between 60 and 75 living in Northern Canada is between 60 and 75 per 100,000 people, significantly higher than the per 100,000 people, significantly higher than the general population.general population.

Other populations at an increased risk of suicide Other populations at an increased risk of suicide include youth, the elderly, inmates in correctional include youth, the elderly, inmates in correctional facilities, people with a mental illness, and those facilities, people with a mental illness, and those who have previously attempted suicide. who have previously attempted suicide.

Men commit suicide at a rate four times higher than Men commit suicide at a rate four times higher than that of women. According to a report by the Canadian that of women. According to a report by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), more men in Institute for Health Information (CIHI), more men in Ontario committed suicide in the past 10 years than Ontario committed suicide in the past 10 years than died in car crashes.died in car crashes.

Approximately 591 men committed suicide in Ontario Approximately 591 men committed suicide in Ontario between 1990 and 2000, while 558 men died in car between 1990 and 2000, while 558 men died in car crashes. crashes.

Women, however, make 3 to 4 times more suicide Women, however, make 3 to 4 times more suicide attempts than men do, and women are hospitalized in attempts than men do, and women are hospitalized in general hospitals for attempted suicide at 1.5 times general hospitals for attempted suicide at 1.5 times the rate of men. the rate of men.

Studies indicate that there is a significant correlation Studies indicate that there is a significant correlation between a history of sexual abuse and the lifetime between a history of sexual abuse and the lifetime number of suicide attempts, and this correlation is number of suicide attempts, and this correlation is twice as strong for women as for men.twice as strong for women as for men.

Source: Canadian Mental Health Association Source: Canadian Mental Health Association

In Canada, suicide accounts for 24 In Canada, suicide accounts for 24 percent of all deaths among 15-24 year percent of all deaths among 15-24 year olds and 16 percent among 16-44 year olds and 16 percent among 16-44 year olds. Suicide is the second leading olds. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Canadians between cause of death for Canadians between the ages of 10 and 24.8 Seventy-three the ages of 10 and 24.8 Seventy-three percent of hospital admissions for percent of hospital admissions for attempted suicide are for people attempted suicide are for people between the ages of 15 and 44. between the ages of 15 and 44.

Seasons?Seasons? Late July and August have the highest Late July and August have the highest

suicide rate out of all the months of the suicide rate out of all the months of the year. Some studies suggest that the year. Some studies suggest that the increase is due to the seasonal change and increase is due to the seasonal change and that this period is one that often brings that this period is one that often brings about changes in personal situations as about changes in personal situations as well. well.

It is suggested that all these elements of It is suggested that all these elements of change – whether there are dramatic change – whether there are dramatic changes happening in someone's life, or changes happening in someone's life, or whether someone feels defeated because whether someone feels defeated because their situation seems to never change – can their situation seems to never change – can lead people to suicide. Source: Canadian lead people to suicide. Source: Canadian Mental Health AssociationMental Health Association

A number of studies indicate that an A number of studies indicate that an especially high-risk time for vulnerable especially high-risk time for vulnerable teens is when they go back to school. teens is when they go back to school. Whatever the reason, the rates are so high Whatever the reason, the rates are so high among aboriginal youth at this time of among aboriginal youth at this time of year that the Centre for Addiction and year that the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health says autumn is referred to Mental Health says autumn is referred to as the 'suicide season.‘as the 'suicide season.‘

Source: Canadian Mental Health Source: Canadian Mental Health AssociationAssociation

Partner WorkPartner Work

Read the section on Durkheim as Read the section on Durkheim as well as the handout and answer the well as the handout and answer the questions on the handoutquestions on the handout

What do symbolic interactionists What do symbolic interactionists have to say about suicide? have to say about suicide?

Read the point of view on Aboriginal Read the point of view on Aboriginal Groups (p 153 and 154) and answer Groups (p 153 and 154) and answer questionsquestions

Small Group ActivitySmall Group Activity

Each partner group should join with Each partner group should join with another group another group

You will work through the Analyzing a You will work through the Analyzing a Social Problem work sheet togetherSocial Problem work sheet together

Each group will present your best Each group will present your best solution to the classsolution to the class