A five year review of youth suicide in Manitoba

Suicide is the second leading cause of death in adolescents. The suicide rate in the 15 to 24 year old age group has increased at a faster rate than in any other age group. This study is a descriptive and retrospective investigation of 204 files from the Chief Medical Examiner's office of all youths aged 24 years and less in the province of Manitoba who committed suicide between 1984 and 1988. The study found a high male to female ratio, a large number of younger adolescents and a suicide rate in the Native population which was ten times that of non-Natives. The method of suicide varied by gender and race. Males more often used hanging and guns; females were more likely to overdose. Natives tended to hang themselves more than non-Natives, while non-Natives more often used guns. The highest percentage of Native suicides occurred in urban areas. Depression and substance abuse were identified as risk factors. A number of recommendations regarding information gathering post-suicide, as well as prevention and intervention programs are proposed.