Mental health check-in: crisis calls increase as suicide rates trend downward
CTV
While groups that support Albertans in crisis say there is a rise in complex contacts from those needing help, the actual rate of death by suicide has been decreasing through the pandemic.
While groups that support Albertans in crisis say there is a rise in complex contacts from those needing help, the actual rate of death by suicide has been decreasing through the pandemic.
According to the latest data from the office of the chief medical examiner provided to the Centre for Suicide Prevention, suicide deaths are declining.
In Calgary in 2019, 153 suicide deaths were recorded, decreasing to 141 in 2020, and to 95 the following year.
Province-wide in 2019, there were 604 reported suicide deaths, a slight increase to 612 the following year coinciding with the arrival of COVID-19 pandemic measures.
In 2021 the provincial rate of suicide fell to 523 across Alberta.
The records stretching back to 2012 also indicate that Alberta males are more than twice as likely to die by suicide as women.
The province provides funding for 211, a 24/7 crisis hotline that take calls, texts and live chats.
