Death by Suicide among Canadian Medical Students: A National Survey-Based Study

To estimate a rate of death by suicide in the Canadian medical student population and examine the prevalence of institutional response policies for suicide.

A survey was sent to all 17 Canadian medical undergraduate programs (MDUPs) to collect information on deaths by suicide over the past 10 years. In the case of a reported suicide, basic demographic data was collected. Respondents were asked to indicate whether internal statistics or response policies for suicide existed at their MDUP.

Responses were obtained from 16 of 17 (94%) MDUPs. Six suicides (50% female) were reported over the ten-year period from 2006 to 2016. The estimated cause-specific mortality rate was 5.9-8.7/100,000 medical students/year. There were seven (44%) MDUPs that kept statistics on student deaths including suicides and 10 (63%) reported having policies or guidelines regarding what to do in the event of a suicide.

Our estimated suicide rate falls within previously reported rates in medical students. While this may be lower than the national rate for Canadians between the ages of 20-30 years old, any suicide in the medical student community must be an impetus for national dialogue and further study. A strategy is needed to better define the prevalence, risk factors for and impact of medical student suicide in Canada.