SUICIDE ATTEMPTS AMONG INUIT YOUTH - A COMMUNITY SURVEY OF PREVALENCEAND RISK-FACTORS

Thr prevalence of and risk factors fur attempted suicide and suicidal ideation were examined with a survey of 99 Inuit, aged 14-25 years, re siding in a community in Northern (Quebec. A total of 34% of survey re spondents reported a previous suicide attempt, and 20% had attempted s uicide more than once. A suicide attempt had resulted in injury in abo ut 11% of those surveyed. The prevalence of suicidal ideation was also very high: 43% of subjects reported past thoughts of suicide, and 26% had had suicidal thoughts during the month before the survey. Risk fa ctors for suicide attempts included male gender, having a friend who h ad attempted or committed suicide, a history of being physically abuse d, a history of solvent abuse, and having a parent with an alcohol or drug problem. Protective factors included a family history of having r eceived treatment Eor a psychiatric problem, more frequent church atte ndance, and a high level of academic achievement. While individuals in the community who are at high risk for suicide can be targeted for pr eventive measures, the high prevalence and effect of family problems o n likelihood of suicide attempts indicate the need fur family- and com munity-based approaches.