Aboriginal Suicide

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Suicide is defined as the act of killing oneself intentionally and voluntarily. Suicide is one of the outcomes of social difficulties faced by the Aboriginal youth in Canada. The rate of suicide amongst aboriginal youth (aged 14 to 26) on reserves is 5 to 7 times more likely than non- Aboriginal youth (Health Canada, 2013). According to Health Canada, 1 in 5 deaths are due to suicide in the Aboriginal youth (aged 10 to 19 years). In Nunavut, 27% of deaths occurred from suicide attempts, which is one of the highest in the world (Health Canada, 2013). These trends are alarming as they continue to rise. Research shows that some Aboriginal communities have experienced epidemics of suicide, with adolescents and young adults representing the highest …show more content…

This psychiatric perspective narrows concentration on the “sick” individual/community rather than diverting attention to solving basic social, economic and political concerns faced by Aboriginals. As Emile Durkheim (one of the founding fathers of sociology) suggests, the interaction of various factors (historical, social, political and environmental factors) at various phases of an individual’s lifetime contribute to risk of suicide attempt. Many aboriginal communities have been affected by these factors including: abrupt cultural change, suppression of their principles and traditions and social, political and economic demarcation suggesting that the Aboriginal youth are one of the most vulnerable populations in Canada (Lawrence, 2008). Consequently, suicide amongst these youngsters is often the result of long term social difficulties experienced in childhood and adolescence and the presence of significant gaps in education, health and safety (Reading & Wien, 2009). It is important to emphasize improvements in the social determinants of health to ameliorate the health status of Aboriginal youth and lower suicide …show more content…

For example, most First Nation reserves are found to be overcrowded with barely any space for children to play, study or relax (Postl et al., 2010). Hence, overcrowding presents itself as a proximal determinant of health because it augments the risk of behavioural and learning problems in these children. This stressor could pave the way for substance abuse, social problems or even suicide. Physical environments play an important role in the life course model for healthy child development. Enforcement through historical denial of land ownership and contemporary secluded settlement structures are examples of deprived physical environments posing a hazard to these Aboriginal groups (Postl et al., 2010). Existing outcomes of such enforcement include housing scarcities, poor quality of housing infrastructure and lack of affordable housing (Postl et al., 2010). Such outcomes have led to overcrowding of many families under one roof in the rural regions and homelessness for those living in urban regions. Overcrowded reserves have poor ventilation causing increased mould appearance and lack of adequate heating systems in harsh winters for those Aboriginal communities living in Northern Canada (Postl et al., 2010). As a result there have been increases in severe asthma and allergies amongst the Aboriginal youth (Postl et

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