1. Suicide Prevention

2. Suicide is currently the fifth leading cause of death among Canadians. Cancer, heart disease, cardiovascular disease and unintentional injuries only exceeded suicide deaths. Fact #1

3. Fact #2 Each year, some 4,000 Canadians take their own lives. Suicide and suicidal behaviour affects one in 13 Canadians, regardless of age, culture, income and education.

4. Fact #3 Between 70% and 80% of Canadian youth consider suicide before graduation.

5. Fact #4 In 1997, 401 suicides were completed in Alberta 98% (393) of which were completed by residents of Alberta.

6. Fact #5 Some point during their lifetime, and approximately one in ten will seriously consider it.

7. Fact #6 Suicide is a complex process. The cause is typically not attributed to a single factor.

8. Fact #7 Suicide is the second leading cause of death among Canadian youth aged 10-24.

9. Fact #8 Up to 30% of gay and lesbian youth attempt suicide.

10. Fact #9 In Canada over 25,000 youth attempt suicide annually and over 250 complete.

11. Fact 10 Research suggests that adolescents who use marijuana and/or cigarettes are at increased risk of suicide. Studies have also found that as many as 20% of those who die by suicide have used cocaine in the days prior to death.

12. Fact #11 A suicide attempt is regarded as an indicator of further attempts. It is likely that the level of danger will increase with each further suicide attempt.

13. Fact# 12 Nationally, Alberta’s suicide rate per 100,000 population is ranked second among Canada’s provinces. The highest rate in Canadian provinces was Quebec and the lowest rate among Canadian provinces was Newfoundland.

14. Fact #13 Suicide is the leading cause of injury death among Albertans, accounting for nearly one third of all injury fatalities.

15. Fact #14 Each year, on average, 294 Canadian youths die from suicide, which is ¼ of all youth deaths. Many more attempt it.

16. Fact #15 Aboriginal Canadians especially young native males are especially at risk of suicide. Some aboriginal communities have rates 3-5 times higher than the general population.

17. Fact #16 People with personality disorders are approximately three times as likely to die by suicide than those without. Between 25 and 50% of these individuals also have a substance abuse disorder or major depressive disorder.

18. Fact #17 About 80% of people give some signals that they are suicidal before taking their own life.

19. Fact #18 Suicide is generally carried out without warning. 30% of suicides have been preceded with warning signs.

20. Canadian Mental Health Association

21. Hours of operation: Monday to Friday 8:30am – 4:30 pm For further information on these programs, contact: Phone: 297-1744 http://www.cmha.calgary.ab.ca/se rvices/suicide/index.aspx Contact Information

22. Various Mental Health Services

23. Distress Center Distress Centre Telephone: 403-266-1605(24 Hour) Toll Free: Fax: 403-262-2512 TTY: 403-543-1967 Pager: Email: Website: http://www.distresscentre.com

24. OBAD The Organization For Bipolar Affective Disorders Society Kaj Korvela, Executive Director 1019 - 7th Ave SW Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 1A8 Phone: (403) 263 - 7408 Email: obad@obad.ca

25. Telecare Calgary Services Telephone: 403-266-0700 (Crisis Line) Email: telecarecalgary@internode.ca Website: http://www.telecarecalgary.org Other: 403-261-4765

26. SPRP Suite 320, 1202 Centre Street S.E. Calgary, AB T2G 5A5 Phone: 403-245-3900 Fax: 403-245-0299 http://www.suicideinfo.ca/csp/go.aspx?tabid=13 6

27. The End