A study released from Statistics Canada this week shows that one in five Aboriginal people have suicidal thoughts at some point in their lives.

Read: Full Statistics Canada report

Dr. Roderick McCormick, BC Innovation Council Chair in Aboriginal Health and national expert in First Nations mental health, says that what is especially valuable about this report is in how it links the intergenerational trauma associated with residential schools to thoughts of suicide.

Read: Opinion: Are aboriginal teens dying to belong, Vancouver Sun, Dec. 18, 2012

“This is important because we haven’t had a lot of research that shows the connection. Everyone knows that residential schools had a huge impact, but only recently have we started to see intergenerational trauma becoming more accepted,” he said of the report entitled Lifetime suicidal thoughts among First Nations living off reserve, Metis, and Inuit aged 26-59: Prevalence and associated characteristics.

Suicide is more prevalent among people who feel disconnected from family, community and culture — a direct byproduct of the residential school experience.

“Children were separated from their families, their culture, their spirituality, and their land. All things that gave them meaning and a sense of empowerment,” he explained.

More information

Dr. Roderick McCormick
250-851-9334
rmccormick@tru.ca