Suicidal ideation two times more common among Canadian-born people than immigrants

Suicidal ideation two times more common among Canadian-born people than immigrants

Dec. 2, 2022

Global Korean Post

Overall, 6% of immigrants experienced thoughts of suicide at some point in their lives, a considerably lower proportion than that of Canadian-born people (14%). Fewer immigrants (1.5%) reported having suicidal ideation in the previous year than their Canadian-born counterparts (3.1%).

The gap in suicidal ideation between immigrants and Canadian-born people narrows when looking at those most at risk of having these kinds of thoughts, albeit the prevalence was lower among immigrants. Youth aged 15 to 24 years were most at risk of having suicidal thoughts among the immigrant population (4%), though they were less likely than Canadian-born youth (6%) to report having suicidal ideation in the previous year.

By far, the strongest risk factor for having suicide ideation in the previous year was having a diagnosed mood disorder or anxiety disorder for both immigrants and Canadian-born people. Among immigrants with a mood disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, mania or dysthymia, 14% had previous-year suicide ideation. Elevated levels were also seen among immigrants with an anxiety disorder, with 11% having previous-year suicide ideation.

For Canadian-born people, the proportion that had previous-year suicidal ideation was 18% for those diagnosed with mood disorders and 14% for those with anxiety disorders.

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