Trends in Suicide Mortality in Canada by Sex and Age Group, 1981 to 2017: A Population-Based Time Series Analysis: Tendances de la mortalité par suicide au Canada selon le sexe et le groupe d'âge, 1981 - 2017 : Une analyse de séries chronologiques dans la population.

OBJECTIVES: Suicide is a complex global public health issue. The objective of this study was to assess time trends in suicide mortality in Canada by sex and age group. METHODS: We extracted data from the Canadian Vital Statistics Death Database for all suicide deaths among individuals aged 10 years and older based on International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Ninth Revision (E950-959; 1981 to 1999) and International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision (X60-X84, Y87·0; 2000 to 2017) for a 37-year period, from 1981 to 2017. We calculated annual age-standardized, sex-specific, and age group-specific suicide mortality rates, and used Joinpoint Regression for time trend analysis. RESULTS: The age-standardized suicide mortality rate in Canada decreased by 24.0% from 1981 to 2017. From 1981 to 2007, there was a significant annual average decrease in the suicide rate by 1.1% (95% confidence interval, -1.3 to -0.9), followed by no significant change between 2007 and 2017. From 1981 to 2017 and from 1990 to 2017, females aged 10 to 24 and 45 to 64 years old, respectively, had a significant increase in suicide mortality rates. However, males had the highest suicide mortality rates in all years in the study; the average male-to-female ratio was 3.4:1. CONCLUSION: The 3-decade decline in suicide mortality rates in Canada paralleled the global trend in rate reductions. However, since 2008, the suicide rate in Canada was relatively unchanged. Although rates were consistently higher among males, we found significant rate increases among females in specific age groups. Suicide prevention efforts tailored for adult males and young and middle-aged females could help reduce the suicide mortality rate in Canada.

Prevalence of Positive Mental Health and Associated Factors Among Postpartum Women in Canada: Findings from a National Cross-Sectional Survey.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to compare the prevalence of three positive mental health (PMH) outcomes (self-rated mental health, life satisfaction, sense of community belonging) in postpartum women to the general population, and to examine the relationship between protective factors and the three PMH outcomes among postpartum women. METHODS: The national cross-sectional Survey on Maternal Health (n = 6558) was analyzed. Analyses were weighted and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Three adjusted logistic regression models were generated. To compare this sample to the general population of women, estimates from the Canadian Community Health Survey-Annual Component (2018) were used. RESULTS: Compared to the general population of women, a larger proportion of postpartum women reported a strong sense of community belonging. The odds of postpartum women with high self-rated physical health having high self-rated mental health were approximately seven times greater (aOR 6.9, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.9, 8.1) than postpartum women with lower self-rated physical health. The absence of symptoms of postpartum depression (PPD) or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and high self-rated physical health were significantly associated with all three PMH outcomes. Frequent availability of maternal support was associated with greater odds of high life satisfaction (aOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.4, 1.9) and sense of community belonging (aOR 1.4, 95% CI 1.2, 1.6). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that availability of maternal support, self-rated physical health and absence of symptoms of PPD or GAD were associated with PMH among postpartum women. As physical health had the strongest association with mental health, we encourage further examination of this relationship.

Diet Alters Micronutrient Pathways in the Gut and Placenta that Regulate Fetal Growth and Development in Pregnant Mice.

Maternal malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies can alter fetal development. However, the mechanisms underlying these relationships are poorly understood. We used a systems physiology approach to investigate diet-induced effects on maternal gut microbes and folate/inositol transport in the maternal/fetal gut and placenta. Female mice were fed a control diet (CON) diet, undernourished (UN, restricted by 30% of CON intake) or a high-fat diet (HF, 60% kcals fat) during pregnancy to model normal pregnancy, fetal growth restriction or maternal metabolic dysfunction, respectively. At gestational day 18.5, we assessed circulating folate levels by microbiological assay, relative abundance of gut lactobacilli by G3PhyloChip™, and folate/inositol transporters in placenta and maternal/fetal gut by qPCR/immunohistochemistry. UN and HF-fed mothers had lower plasma folate concentrations vs. CON. Relative abundances of three lactobacilli taxa were higher in HF vs. UN and CON. HF-fed mothers had higher gut proton coupled folate transporter (Pcft) and reduced folate carrier 1 (Rfc1), and lower sodium myo-inositol co-transporter 2 (Smit2), mRNA expression vs. UN and CON. HF placentae had increased folate receptor beta (Frß) expression vs. UN. mRNA expression of Pcft, folate receptor alpha (Frα), and Smit2 was higher in gut of HF fetuses vs. UN and CON. Transporter protein expression was not different between groups. Maternal malnutrition alters abundance of select gut microbes and folate/inositol transporters, which may influence maternal micronutrient status and delivery to the fetus, impacting pregnancy/fetal outcomes.

Prevalence of alcohol use among women of reproductive age in Canada. / Fréquence de la consommation d'alcool chez les Canadiennes en âge de procréer.

INTRODUCTION: Reporting on alcohol use among women of reproductive age in Canada addresses a major gap in evidence. METHODS: We assessed the prevalence of weekly and heavy alcohol consumption among women aged 15 to 54 years by sociodemographic characteristics, province of residence and concurrent use of other substance(s) using data from the 2019 Canadian Community Health Survey. RESULTS: Of the target population, 30.5% reported weekly and 18.3% reported heavy alcohol consumption in the past year. Prevalence varied by sociodemographic characteristics, province and substance use. The most notable and significant differences were to do with cannabis use and smoking. CONCLUSION: This information can guide health care providers in assessing alcohol consumption and in promoting low-risk alcohol drinking to prevent alcohol exposure during pregnancy.

An update on positive mental health among youth in Canada. / Mise à jour sur la santé mentale positive chez les jeunes au Canada.

The Positive Mental Health Surveillance Indicator Framework (PMHSIF) provides estimates of positive mental health outcomes and associated risk and protective factors for youth aged 12 to 17 years in Canada. This study explored the relationship between sociodemographic factors and psychological and social well-being among youth in Canada using data from the Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey 2016-2017. Grade and province were significantly associated with psychological and social well-being.

The Quick Stats table presents recent estimates of positive mental health outcomes and determinants among youth in Canada. Over three-quarters of youth have high relatedness (81.8%), a high level of happiness (79.3%), high competence (78.4%) and high self-rated mental health (75.9%). The majority of youth reported high autonomy (73.0%) and life satisfaction (61.0%). Students in middle school (Grades 7­8) were more likely to have higher psychological and social well-being compared to students in high school (Grades 9­12).

Le tableau Statistiques rapides pré- sente des estimations récentes des résultats et des déterminants de la santé mentale positive chez les jeunes au Canada. Plus des trois quarts des jeunes indiquent avoir un niveau élevé d'appartenance (81,8 %), de bonheur (79,3 %), de compétence (78,4 %) et de santé mentale auto- évaluée (75,9 %). La majorité des jeunes ont déclaré jouir d'une grande autonomie (73,0 %) et d'une grande satisfaction à l'égard de leur vie (61,0 %). Les élèves du niveau intermédiaire (de 7e et 8e années) étaient davantage susceptibles de ressentir un bien-être psychologique et social plus élevé que les élèves du secondaire (de la 9e à la 12e année).

An update on positive mental health among adults in Canada. / Mise à jour sur la santé mentale positive chez les adultes au Canada.

This At-a-glance presents updated estimates for the Positive Mental Health Surveillance Indicator Framework for adults aged 18 years and older. Using data from the 2015 and 2017 Canadian Community Health Survey, we calculated the prevalence of positive mental health and associated determinants. Estimates for positive mental health outcomes for adults ranged from 68.1% to 87.1%. We also explored the associations between sociodemographic factors and positive mental health among adults in Canada. Our findings suggest sociodemographic differences in odds of self-rated mental health, happiness, life satisfaction, and psychological and social well-being.

The Quick Stats table presents recent estimates of positive mental health outcomes and associated risk and protective factors among adults in Canada. The majority of adults in Canada have high positive mental health. Out of the five positive mental health outcomes, life satisfaction had the highest prevalence (87.1%) and social well-being the lowest (68.1%). Sociodemographic factors including sex, age group, income quintile, education level, province, urban/rural status and immigration status were significantly associated with positive mental health outcomes.

Le tableau Statistiques rapides présente les estimations les plus récentes en matière de santé mentale positive et de facteurs de risque et de protection connexes chez les adultes au Canada. La majorité des adultes au Canada ont une santé mentale positive élevée. Parmi les cinq résultats en matière de santé mentale positive, la satisfaction à l'égard de la vie a la prévalence la plus élevée (87,1 %), et le sentiment de bien-être social la prévalence la plus faible (68,1 %). Plusieurs facteurs sociodémographiques, à savoir le sexe, le groupe d'âge, le quintile de revenu, le niveau de scolarité, la province, le milieu de résidence (urbain/rural) et le statut vis-à-vis de l'immigration sont associés de manière statistiquement significative aux résultats en matière de santé mentale positive.

Thoughts of self-harm and associated risk factors among postpartum women in Canada.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of thoughts of self-harm during the postpartum period is not well documented in Canada. To estimate the prevalence of thoughts of self-harm among postpartum women in Canada, this study explored prevalence by socio-demographic characteristics and examined the associations between thoughts of self-harm and aspects of maternal mental health. METHODS: This study used data from the 2018/2019 Survey on Maternal Health which surveyed women living in the 10 provinces anywhere between 6-13 months postpartum. Participants were asked to report experiencing thoughts of self-harm, rate their mental health, and participate in the abbreviated Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) scale. Adjusted logistic regression analyses were performed to examine associations. RESULTS: Of the 6,558 respondents who agreed to share their data, 10.4% reported thoughts of self-harm since the birth of their child. Of these women, 37.0% reported low mental health, 54.2% had moderate levels of symptoms of postpartum depression (PPD) and 37.1% had symptoms of GAD. Women who experienced low mental health, moderate levels of symptoms of PPD and/or GAD were more likely to report thoughts of self-harm. LIMITATIONS: As thoughts of self-harm and aspects of mental health are self-reported, there is the potential for social desirability bias and underreporting. The cross-sectional survey design did not allow the reporting of thoughts of self-harm at different time points. DISCUSSION: The high proportion of postpartum women in Canada reporting thoughts of self-harm and strong associations with aspects of maternal mental health highlight the need for effective supports during postpartum.

Canadian Chronic Disease Indicators, 2019 - Updating the data and taking into account mental health. / Indicateurs des maladies chroniques au Canada, 2019 ­ Mise à jour des données et prise en compte de la santé mentale.

The 2019 edition of the Canadian Chronic Disease Indicators (CCDI) provides recent estimates of the burden of chronic conditions and measures of general health and associated determinants in Canada. Using data from the CCDI and 2017 Canadian Community Health Survey, we explored the relationship between sociodemographic factors and selfreported mental health. Our findings suggest that sex (males vs females: adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.22); age (65-79 vs 35-49 year age group: aOR = 1.48); education (postsecondary graduate vs less than high school: aOR = 1.68); household income adequacy (highest quintile [Q5] vs lowest [Q1]: aOR = 2.25); and immigrant status (recent immigrants vs nonimmigrants: aOR= 2.29) were significantly associated with higher self-reported mental health.

The Canadian Chronic Disease Indicators Quick Statistics table shows estimates of the burden of chronic conditions, measures of general health and associated determinants of health. In 2017, more than two-thirds (70.3%) of the population in Canada reported having "excellent" or "very good" mental health. Age, sex, province of residence, income quintile, education level and immigration status were sociodemographic factors significantly associated with self-reported mental health.

Le tableau Statistiques rapides sur les Indicateurs des maladies chroniques au Canada présente les estimations du fardeau des maladies chroniques ainsi que les mesures de la santé générale et des déterminants connexes de la santé. En 2017, plus des deux tiers (70,3 %) de la population du Canada ont déclaré avoir une « excellente ¼ ou une « très bonne ¼ santé mentale. L'âge, le sexe, la province de résidence, le quintile de revenu, le niveau d'études et le statut vis-à-vis de l'immigration étaient des facteurs sociodémographiques corrélés de façon significative à la santé mentale auto-déclarée.