POLICE ASSOCIATION OF NOVA SCOTIA 49 Understanding Suicide in Nova Scotia (continued) Data on suicide attempts in Nova Scotia, specifically for 2011–2016 reveals:2 • 13,746 Nova Scotians attempted suicide, 2,979 of these were hospitalized. • Attempts were more common among males, but hospitalizations for attempts were more common among females (59%); • 75% of suicide attempts occur in urban areas, compared to 25% in rural areas. • The populations with the highest rates of suicide attempts were: - Individuals over the age of 80, followed by those aged between 45 - 49 years, however, number of attempts were highest for those 50–54 years old. - Individuals with an annual income of $30,000 or less; - Individuals with higher educational attainment, however, actual number of attempts are highest among those with no certificate, diploma, or degree. Specific hospitalization data regarding suicide attempts in Nova Scotia, 2007–20163 indicates: • There were 4,848 hospitalizations for suicide attempts.While there was some variability each year, the rate of hospitalizations due to suicide attempts has not changed significantly over time. • Poisoning is the most common method of attempted suicide, followed by cutting/piercing, for both males and females.Youth aged 10–19 years are more likely to use anti-inflammatory, pain relief, or arthritis drugs, while adults are more likely to use antiepileptic, sedative-hypnotic, anti-parkinsonism, and psychotropic drugs. • Among those hospitalized for a suicide attempt during this time period, 38% had been diagnosed with a mental illness (based on their health records for the two years before attempt).Among that cohort, substance use disorder and anxiety were the most prevalent diagnoses. Little data related to diversity and inclusion of specific population groups and suicide, such as non-binary gender statistics or ethnicity, is available for Nova Scotia.While these statistics are only a snapshot of suicide in Nova Scotia, the upward trends noted over the past decade demonstrate that suicide is a public health issue of concern. novascotia.ca 2 CIHI Discharge Abstract Database, NS Physician Billing Database 2011-2016; Statistics Canada Census, 2016.ii Some individuals without a mental illness diagnosis may have been living with an undiagnosed mental illness. 3 CIHI Discharge Abstract Database, CIHI National Ambulatory Care Reporting System, NS Physician Billing Database,Vital Statistics Nova Scotia, 2007-2016. You will find a list of resources where to get help at the back of this book.
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