title: The prevalence of suicidal behaviors, attitudes and associated social experiences in an urban population.
abstract: The development of an epidemiological study of mental health, social background factors, suicidal behaviors (suicidal ideas, deliberate self-harm, and attempted suicide), values concerning suicide, and experience of suicide in others is described. 679 adult respondents in a stratified random sample of residents of a large Canadian city were interviewed. Results indicate a more accepting attitude to suicide than reported in previous studies; considerable experience of suicide in others; and a much higher rate of suicidal ideas and action than has been reported in previous work. Thirteen percent of the sample had made plans for suicide in their lifetime, 6% had deliberately harmed themselves, and a further 4% had attempted suicide in their lifetime. In the past year, 4% had made plans for suicide, and 2% had deliberately harmed themselves or had attempted suicide.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000416:Alberta; D001290:Attitude; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012306:Risk; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D014505:Urban Population