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A new study reveals that at least one in five First Nations people have thought about taking their own lives at least once.
The prevalence of suicidal thoughts was higher among women in all Aboriginal groups than non-Aboriginal women; this was also the case for men with the exception of Metis males. The findings were taken from the new study Lifetime suicidal thoughts among First Nations living off reserve, Métis and Inuit aged 26 to 59: Prevalence and associated characteristics. The data collected for the study is based from information collected from the 2012 Aboriginal Peoples Survey and the 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey.
Women in all three Aboriginal groups (25.8 per cent of off reserve First Nations, 23.8 per cent of Inuit and 23.4 per cent of Métis) were more likely than non-Aboriginal women to report suicidal thoughts (13.8 per cent).
Compared with non-Aboriginal men (11.1 per cent), Inuit men (23.1 per cent) and off reserve First Nations (21.4 per cent) were also more likely to have had suicidal thoughts. After controlling for other factors, off reserve First Nations, Inuit and Métis women and men who reported having been diagnosed with mood and/or anxiety disorders or ever using drugs were more likely to have had suicidal thoughts. In contrast, those who reported high self-worth were less likely to have had suicidal thoughts. For example, Inuit women who had high self-worth were much less likely to have had suicidal thoughts (18.0 per cent) than those without high self-worth (43.0 per cent). These factors were also associated with suicidal thoughts in non-Aboriginal adults.
First Nations women, Métis men and Inuit men who were widowed, divorced or separated were more likely to report suicidal thoughts. Inuit women who reported heavy, frequent drinking were also more likely to have had suicidal thoughts.
Conversely, First Nations men, Métis women and Inuit women who reported excellent or very good health were less likely to have had suicidal thoughts, after controlling for other factors.
Agencies/Canadajournal
