Men and Suicide: Key Statistics

• Men account for 76% of suicides in Canada. In 2019, men made up 3,058 of the 4,012 suicides (Statistics Canada, 2019)

• Middle-aged men (ages 45–64) have the highest suicide rates. (Statistics Canada, 2019)

• Men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women, even though women attempt suicide twice as often. (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2019)

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Youth and Suicide: Key Statistics

• Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15–19-year-olds in Canada, after unintentional injuries. (Statistics Canada, 2019)

• Suicide accounts for 25% of all deaths among 15–24-year-olds. (Statistics Canada, 2019)

• Males aged 15–19 have a higher suicide rate (11.9 per 100,000) compared to females (6.9 per 100,000). (Statistics Canada, 2019)

• Youth are hospitalized for suicide attempts more than any other age group, making up as many as one in four hospital admissions. (Kutcher & Szumilas, 2008)

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Older Adults and Suicide: Key Statistics

• Older adults, especially men over 65, have a higher risk of suicide compared to other age groups. (Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health, 2009)

• Suicide rates among men over 65 are 33.8 per 100,000, and even higher among men over 90 (Statistics Canada, 2017)

• Older men die by suicide more often because they tend to use more lethal means. (O’Dwyer & De Leo, 2016)

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