Suicidal ideation among young adults in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from a population-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Using data from the 2020 and 2021 cycles of the Survey on COVID-19 and Mental Health, we examined suicidal ideation among adults in Canada aged 18 to 34 years. The prevalence of suicidal ideation among adults aged 18 to 34 years was 4.2% in fall 2020 and 8.0% in spring 2021. The subgroup of adults aged 18 to 24 years had the highest prevalence of suicidal ideation, 10.7%, in spring 2021. Prevalence varied by sociodemo-graphic characteristics and tended to be higher among people living in materially deprived areas. Suicidal ideation was strongly associated with pandemic-related stress-ors respondents experienced.