| Summary: | The Hazelton area refers to a cluster of small towns and First Nations villages in north-western British Columbia, with a collective population of about 4500 people, approximately 80% of whom are First Nations. Local health care workers report an apparent increase in the number of suicides and suicide attempts. The purpose of this study is to determine the incidence of these events during a recent one-year period (August 1, 2006 to July 31, 2007), which subpopulation is most commonly involved, and when and how these events take place. Data on completed suicides were obtained from the Coroner's Office. Data on suicide attempts were obtained from hospital admissions records. During this one year period, there were three completed suicides, yielding a rate of 6.7 per 10 000, more than double the provincial aboriginal suicide rate. The Coroner was unable to release additional details on these suicides for reasons of confidentiality. There were 25 suicide attempts. Seventy-two per cent of suicide attempts were made by women. The majority of men and women were under the age of 30. The preferred method of attempt was medication overdose; there were no attempts by hanging or gunshot. Over 80% of individuals were intoxicated when attempting suicide. Most patients presented in the night or early hours of the morning. Just over half of attempts presented on the weekend. Most attempts took place in the spring. These results confirm that Hazelton has recently experienced a high rate of suicide, with approximately ten suicide attempts for every completed suicide. Previous rates are unknown, so it is not clear whether this is an increase from earlier years.
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