Schizophrenia and Suicide Attempts: Findings from a Representative Community-Based Canadian Sample

This study examined factors associated with suicide attempts among those with schizophrenia (𝑛 = 101)versusthosewithout(𝑛=21,643) in a representative sample of noninstitutionalized Canadians. The lifetime prevalence of suicide attempts amongpersons with schizophrenia was 39.2% versus 2.8% of nonafflicted individuals. After adjusting for sociodemographics, childhoodadversities, substance abuse/dependence, depression/anxiety, and chronic pain, those with schizophrenia had 6 times the odds(OR = 6.47) of attempting suicide. Among persons with schizophrenia, suicide attempts were associated with female gender (OR =4.59), substance abuse/dependence (OR = 6.31), depression (OR = 4.93), and childhood physical abuse (OR = 5.75). Community-dwelling persons with schizophrenia appear to be at high risk for suicide attempts