Suicidal Ideators Without Major Depression – Whom are we not Reaching?

This study described individuals who reported suicide ideation but neither met the criteria for major depression nor were in contact with mental health services in the previous year. Data were drawn from the Canadian Community Health Survey: Mental Health & Well-Being (2002). Almost one-half of 584 respondents reporting suicide ideation were without both major depression & a mental health service contact in the previous year. Individuals in this group were younger & exhibited greater morbidity than their nonsuicidal counterparts but did not differ by gender. Male respondents with suicide ideation were less likely to contact mental health services. (28 refs.)