Cited by 151Suicide and Self-Harm StudiesOccupational Health and PerformanceGrief, Bereavement, and Mental Health

Suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts among public safety personnel in Canada

Open access
Carleton, R. Nicholas, Afifi, Tracie O., Turner, Sarah, Taillieu, Tamara, LeBouthillier, Daniel M., Duranceau, Sophie, Sareen, Jitender, Ricciardelli, Rosemary +15 more·2018·Canadian Psychology / Psychologie canadienne

Abstract

Substantial media attention has focused on suicide among Canadian Public Safety Personnel (PSP; e.g., correctional workers, dispatchers, firefighters, paramedics, police). The attention has raised significant concerns about the mental health impact of public safety service, as well as interest in the correlates for risk of suicide. There have only been two published studies assessing lifetime suicidal behaviors among Canadian PSP. The current study was designed to assess past-year and lifetime suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts amongst a large diverse sample of Canadian PSP. Estimates of suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts were derived from self-reported data from a nationally administered online survey. Participants included 5,148 PSP (33.4% women) grouped into six categories (i.e., Call Centre Operators/Dispatchers, Correctional Workers, Firefighters, Municipal/Provincial Police, Paramedics, Royal Canadian Mounted Police). Substantial proportions of participants reported past-year and lifetime suicidal ideation (10.1%, 27.8%), planning (4.1%, 13.3%), or attempts (0.4%, 4.6%). Women reported significantly more lifetime suicidal behaviors than men (ORs = 1.15 to 2.62). Significant differences were identified across PSP categories in reports of past-year and lifetime suicidal behaviors. The proportion of Canadian PSP reporting past-year and lifetime suicidal behaviors was substantial. The estimates for lifetime suicidal behaviors appear consistent with or higher than previously published international PSP estimates, and higher than reports from the general population. Municipal/Provincial Police reported the lowest frequency for past-year and lifetime suicidal behaviors, whereas Correctional Workers and Paramedics reported the highest. The results provide initial evidence that substantial portions of diverse Canadian PSP experience suicidal behaviors, therein warranting additional resources and research. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved)

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Crossref · 10.1037/cap0000136

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Authors
Carleton, R. N., Afifi, T. O., Turner, S., Taillieu, T., LeBouthillier, D. M., Duranceau, S., Sareen, J., Ricciardelli, R., MacPhee, R. S., Groll, D., Hozempa, K., Brunet, A., Weekes, J. R., Griffiths, C. T., Abrams, K. J., Jones, N. A., Beshai, S., Cramm, H. A., Dobson, K. S., Hatcher, S., Keane, T. M., Stewart, S. H., & Asmundson, G. J. G.
Venue
Canadian Psychology / Psychologie canadienne
Published
2018-08
Volume
59
Issue
3
Pages
220-231
ISSN
  • 0708-5591 (ISSN-L)
  • 1878-7304
OpenAlex
W2786880767
Cited by
151
References
72
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 20 · 2022: 26 · 2021: 28 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 1
FWCI
18.54
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Canadian Psychology/Psychologie canadienne (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • QSpace (Queen's University Library) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Canadian Institutes of Health Research (285489)
  • Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Occupational Therapy › Occupational Health and Performance
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health
Keywords
suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, suicide planning, public safety personnel, prison staff, firefighters, paramedics, police, dispatchers, gender differences, workplace mental health, suicide risk

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