Suicidal thoughts, planning 'significantly' higher in Waterloo region, report says

The prevalence of mood disorders, suicidal thoughts and planning are "significantly" higher in Waterloo region than the provincial average, with some groups of people being more vulnerable than others, a new report shows.

The report,A Community Profile on Suicide and Self-harm in Waterloo Region,wasbrought to the region's community services committee on Tuesday. It's the first phase of a longer term research project between Region of Waterloo Public Health and the Waterloo Region Suicide Prevention Council.

"We tried to do a really deep dive and comprehensive look at all the existing data sources in the community that could provide some insight into what is going on in terms of who is dying by suicide and who is attempting suicide in Waterloo region," Jessica Deming, anepidemiologist with public health and the author of the report, told CBC Kitchener-Waterloo.

Demingsaid they looked at a number of different data sources, including the Canadian Community Health Survey, and found that the prevalence of suicidal thoughts in someone's lifetime was five percent higher in the region, while suicidal planning was fourper cent higher than the provincial average.

Waterloo region rates versus the provincial average from the report:

Higher rates in some groups

Females aged 15 to 24, people with low income, LGBTQ and Indigenous people in the region had higher rates of mental illness and suicidal behaviour, according to the report.

However, LGBTQ and Indigenous people had three to four times higher rates of mental illness and suicidal behaviour than the overall rate in Waterloo region.

"What we found issomethingcompletely in line with what research evidence says in particular withLGBTQ and Indigenous peoples," Deming said.

WashingtonSilk, coordinator of the OK2BMEprogram at KW-Counselling Services, told CBC News LGBTQindividuals in the region often feel they have a lower sense of belonging.

Silk, who is also a therapist, saidtransgender individuals also feel isolated when they reach out for help and when seeking medical providers to help them transition.

"There are very few medical providers in the region who can adequatelyprovide this kind of care, so people go on wait lists and that can be quite distressing," Silk said.

Filling in thegaps

Even though there is a lot of community information available, Deming said the data they looked at didn't point to why suicidal thoughts and mood disorders are higher in Waterloo region.

They also found thatlittle is known about suicidal behaviours in post-secondary students, despite thelarge student population, as well as in transgenderindividuals.

The reportsaid it's unknown to what extent vulnerable individuals, or those who died by suicide, had come in contact with health care and mental health providers.

Deming said phase two of the research project, which will launch laterthis year,will focus on answering those questions in hopes ofhelping service providers better provide care in the region.

If you're experiencing suicidal thoughts or having a mental health crisis, there is help out there:

• Here 24/7 1-844-437-3247 (TTY: 1-877-688-5501) or visit here247.ca.
• K-WCounselling Services519-884-0000.
• Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington general information1-844-264-2993.
• Contact ConnexOntario at 1-866-531-2600 for help funding local addiction, mental health and problem gambling treatment services.
• Kids Help Phone1-800-688-6868.