Pan-Canadian study of suicide attempts between provinces calls for mental health data to be standardized

An Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences report comparing mental health and addiction services across five provinces - British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec - finds teenagers and young adults have highest rates of suicide attempts, as well as the most difficulty getting mental health and addiction services. The study reveals:

• Children and youth aged 10-19 made up the highest percentage of people who had their first medical contact for their mental health disorder or addiction in an ED;
• Young people had the highest rates of suicide attempts, especially between ages 15 and 19;
• In Manitoba, the rates were much higher than in the other provinces, with about 18 attempts per 1,000 teens in that age group who suffered from mental illness or addiction. The rate for both B.C. and Alberta were around 10 attempts, while the lowest rate was in Ontario, at fewer than five attempts per 1,000 teens.

The report used data from the five provinces to develop comparable provincial performance indicators for mental health and addictions. The six performance indicators are:

1. Access to the same family physician for people diagnosed with a mental disorder or addiction.
2. First treatment contact for a mental disorder or addiction is in an emergency department.
3. Physician follow-up after hospital discharge for a mental disorder or addiction.
4. Rates of suicide attempts among people diagnosed with a mental disorder or addiction.
5. Suicide rates among people diagnosed with a mental disorder or addiction.
6. Mortality of people diagnosed with a mental disorder or addiction.

Related News:
Striking differences in rates of suicide attempts between provinces revealed in mental health findings - CBC News
Cross-country mental health data should be standardized, researchers say - The Star