Suicide Prevention

Suicide and suicide prevention are important public health issues. With awareness and training we can all play an important role in preventing suicide.  

Key facts about suicide

Every suicide is a tragedy, and affects people of all ages and backgrounds.

  • A prior suicide attempt is the single most important risk factor for suicide
  • In Canada over 4000 people die by suicide every year
  • For every suicide there are many more people who attempt suicide
  • Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds
  • The highest rates of suicide death were among men aged 50 to 64 years and men aged 40 to 49 years
  • Women are three to four times more likely to attempt suicide than men
  • In Ottawa for every age group, men accounted for more than two thirds of suicide deaths
  • Average of 80 people die by suicide every year in Ottawa
  • One in nine (11%) Ottawa students in grades 7 to 12 reported that they had considered suicide in the past year
  • Girls were more likely than boys to consider suicide (16% and 7%, respectively)
  • Of those students that considered suicide, 60% reported that they had wanted to talk to someone about a mental or emotional problem in the past year but did not know where to turn

Resources

For information on suicide prevention courses and workshops, and more information on suicide prevention please visit:

Where is help in Ottawa?

If you or someone you know is in distress, please call one of the numbers below right away (24 Hour Help Lines):

For more resources available in Ottawa, please see the Mental Health and Substance Use Resource List.

Contact Us