Did You Know?

Suicide affects far too many young Canadians and their families. In fact, suicide is the second leading cause of death in this country, behind only unintentional injuries, for 15- to 19-year-olds, and the third leading cause for 10- to 14-year-olds. To help meet the goal of reducing youth suicide, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been a leader in collecting vital information. A recent meta-analysis of WHO data compared suicide rates for 10- to 19-year-olds across 35 countries, including Canada. From 2010 to 2018, the suicide rate for Canadian youth was 5.01 per 100,000 — putting Canada above the average global rate of 3.77 per 100,000. Still, WHO data revealed declining Canadian youth suicide rates in recent years, with the comparable figure for 2000 to 2011 being 5.36 per 100,000.

Suicides by Canadian youth differ based on age, gender and the interaction of the two. Regarding age, suicides are more frequent for 15- to 19-year-olds. Regarding gender, and as typical of other countries, boys account for the most suicides among older teens, at 70%. But among those between 10 and 14 years, girls account for 59% of suicides — making Canada the only country among the 35 included in the meta-analysis of WHO data with higher suicide rates for girls than for boys in this younger age group.

Researchers have also documented differing patterns in Canadian youth suicide rates over time, by gender. Between 2000 and 2018, the suicide rate for boys between 10 and 19 years declined slightly. The comparable suicide rate for girls showed a statistically significant increase of 0.09 deaths per 100,000.

For more information, see Vol. 16, No. 4 of the Children’s Mental Health Research Quarterly.

ADHD Awareness Month is part of a global effort to share information to help people with ADHD thrive. Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects children and adults all around the world, and this month offers an opportunity to fight misconceptions about ADHD and highlight helpful strategies for managing it. The ADHD Awareness Month Coalition provides numerous online resources, including expert Q & As, videos and podcasts, personal stories, and daily tips for life with ADHD.

ADHD is the second most common mental health disorder in children, exceeded only by anxiety. Positive and engaged caregiving can help children develop the self-regulation skills they need, and there is evidence that interventions such as child Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), behavioural therapy and neurofeedback can also be effective in helping children with ADHD. To learn more, see Vol. 10, No. 4 and Vol. 11, No. 1 of the Children’s Mental Health Research Quarterly.

On October 10 — World Mental Health Day — mental health organizations and advocates will come together to speak out for better mental health supports in the workplace as part of this year’s theme, “Mental Health at Work.” More than 60% of the global population is employed, making workplace metal health a vital issue for governments, employers and employees to address. Ensuring caregivers and parents have adequate mental health support in the workplace is critical, as the mental health of caregivers significantly impacts that of children and youth. Conversely, childhood mental disorders can also have considerable consequences for families, including parents having to miss work to address their child’s mental health needs. To learn more about the high burden associated with childhood mental disorders, see Vol. 16, No. 2 of the Children’s Mental Health Research Quarterly.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, held annually on Sept. 30, offers an opportunity to reflect on the harms done to Indigenous peoples by Canada’s colonial and residential school systems. From 1867 through 1996, there were 140 federally run residential schools in operation in Canada. The day honours the Survivors of those schools and the children who never returned home.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation coincides with Orange Shirt Day, a grassroots initiative that commemorates the residential school experience and promotes the idea “Every Child Matters.” By wearing an orange shirt on Sept. 30, participants can help promote awareness of the individual, family and community intergenerational impacts of residential schools and make a statement in support of reconciliation.

Orange Shirt Day and the Day for Truth and Reconciliation offer a chance to open a dialogue on anti-racism. As a determinant of health, racism has a profound impact on child well-being. To learn more about the impacts of racism on young people, see Vol. 15, No. 3 of the Children’s Mental Health Research Quarterly.

The International Day of Non-Violence occurs a few days later, on October 2. The day commemorates the birth of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement. Gandhi used non-violent activism to help end British colonialism in India. Established by the UN in 2007, the goal of the day is to spread the message of non-violence. According to the UN, it reaffirms the desire “to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence.”

Violence in the home, including physical punishment, can be a disruptive force in the lives of children and youth. While physical punishment used to be commonplace, fewer and fewer parents are using this form of discipline. To learn more about the trend towards a violence-free childhood, see Vol 9, No. 1 of the Children’s Mental Health Research Quarterly.