In a recent article published in the April issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ), researchers from the Public Health Agency of Canada reported that overall suicide rates for youth have declined since 1980 however female rates have actually increased. Suicide continues to be the second leading cause of death in children and adolescents in Canada.
Researchers did a retrospective analysis of suicide rates, using Statistics Canada data spanning 1980 and 2008, for two age groups: 10 – 14 year olds, and 15 – 19 year olds. They further separated the groups by gender and suicide method.
Their analysis revealed that there has been an annual average decrease in suicides for children and adolescents, but a closer drill down showed that the decrease is primarily related to males. Females on the other hand, showed an increase in suicide rates, particularly by suffocation.
To read the CMAJ abstract online, go to www.cmaj.ca or the Globe and Mail article at www.theglobeandmail.com.