Suicidal behaviours among adolescents in northern Nova Scotia

To estimate the 12-month prevalence of suicidal behaviours by gender and to investigate the gender-specific factors associated with suicidal behaviours and to describe health service utilization by suicidal adolescents.

This was a cross-sectional study. The baseline data of the Adolescent Health Study conducted in northern Nova Scotia were used.

Female students were more likely to report suicidal behaviours than male students (p < 0.005). There was no gender difference in injurious suicide attempts. Depression was the strongest risk factor for suicidal behaviours in the two genders (p < 0.005). Female students who reported drug use and living in a non-intact family were at higher risk of suicide attempts. Low self-esteem was positively associated with suicidal ideation and suicide planning among male students. Suicidal girls were more likely to seek professional help for emotional disturbance than boys. Family doctors were the most frequently contacted professional by suicidal adolescents.

Some factors associated with suicidal behaviours among adolescents may be gender specific. Suicidal behaviours have been considered a depressive symptom. Most suicidal students, however, had not contacted a health professional for an emotional problem in this population. This presents challenges for prevention of suicidal behaviours among adolescents.