The National Institute of Public Health of Quebec (INSPQ) says the number of young girls aged 15 to 19 who arrived in hospital emergency rooms after attempting suicide increased by 23% between 2020 and 2021.
The INSPQ says in a report released on Monday that there has also been an increase in the number of girls aged 10 to 14 who have used hospital services after a suicide attempt or because of suicidal ideation.
Pascale Lévesque, an epidemiologist at the institute and one of the report’s co-authors, says teenage girls may be more likely than others to be taken to hospital by family members for suicidal behaviors.
She says that while teenage girls are more likely to be hospitalized for suicidal behavior, they have one of the lowest suicide rates in the province.
Data still preliminary
The institute indicates that the total number of suicides in Quebec decreased slightly in 2020, compared to the previous year. However, this data remains preliminary, as all suspected suicides must be investigated by a coroner and some inquests are still ongoing.
Ms. Lévesque says the suicide rate in Quebec peaked in 1999 and now appears to have leveled off after declining for nearly 20 years.
The coroner’s office says there were at least 1,016 suicides in Quebec in 2020. Men were three times more likely to commit suicide than women, and men aged 50 to 64 had the highest suicide rate. raised.
Need help ? Do not hesitate to call the Quebec Suicide Prevention Line: 1 866 APPELLE (1 866 277-3553).
For help concerning your mental health or that of a loved one, do not hesitate to contact the Info-Social 811 service.
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