Question Period Note: Suicide Prevention

Suicide is a significant, complex public health issue that affects people of all ages and backgrounds across Canada.

We recognize the importance of Canadians having timely access to effective suicide prevention services, particularly in regions with higher suicide rates.
9-8-8, a three-digit number for suicide prevention and emotional distress, will be available across Canada on November 30, 2023.
The federal government is leading the development of a National Suicide Prevention Action Plan which builds on the existing Federal Framework for Suicide Prevention. The Plan will strengthen a collective approach and identify key areas for action that will have the greatest impact in reducing suicide rates in Canada.

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Between 2017 and 2020, there were approximately 4,500 deaths by suicide per year in Canada, which is equivalent to 12 people dying by suicide every day. In 2019, suicide was the 9th leading cause of death among all Canadians, and the 2nd leading cause of death among individuals aged 15 to 34, behind unintentional injuries.
According to preliminary data, there were 3,769 deaths by suicide reported in 2021. The 2020 and 2021 data is provisional and could potentially increase by 5 to 15% over the next year. The delay is due to the length of time that coroners and medical examiners sometimes require to complete their investigations. At this time, caution should be used in drawing any conclusions regarding suicide trends during the pandemic. While mortality data during the pandemic is not readily available, data on the prevalence of suicidal ideation among adults shows that thoughts of suicide did not increase in fall 2020 and was similar to the pre-pandemic level of 2019 (2.7%); however, prevalence of suicidal ideation significantly increased to 4.2% in spring/winter 2021.