gambling in alberta - Research Services - University of Lethbridge

Another approach is to establish the rate of attempted suicides to completed suicides. With an
average of 450 documented suicides in 2000 and 2001 in Alberta, the ratio of reported
attempted suicides in that time period (8,816) to completed suicides is approximately 19.6.
This is fairly consistent with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) estimate of 20 attempts to
1 completion (WHO, 2002). Thus, with this ratio applied to the estimated 1,079 problem
gamblers who reported attempting suicide in 2008/2009, this would predict 55 gamblingrelated
suicides each year.
Obviously, this estimated number is very much predicated on the accuracy of the attempted
suicide to completed suicide ratio. Other Canadian research examining hospitalization for
suicide attempts has found the ratio to be 6 to 7 hospitalized suicide attempts for every
complete suicide (Langlois & Morrison, 2002). Another problem concerns the fact that
Canadian completed suicide statistics are an underestimate of the true number of suicides as
they do not include accidents where suicidal intent could not be unambiguously established
(e.g., single occupant motor vehicle accidents). A final issue is that a large proportion of
problem gamblers experience associated, and to some extent, independent problems in the
areas of mental health, substance abuse, relationships, and employment that are contributors
to suicidality. If these associated problems had not been present then the likelihood of
gambling problems leading to a suicide attempt would have been lessened.
These predicted numbers of gambling-related suicides are considerably higher than the official
number of gambling-related suicides in Alberta as reported by the Office of the Chief Medical
Examiner. These latter statistics are also presented in Table 50. However, it is important to
recognize that these numbers are recognized as significant underestimates, as the Medical
Examiner in Alberta only records information about gambling if a relative or friend mentions it,
or if there is other evidence of gambling at the scene of the death (e.g., suicide note).
Similar to the earlier noted declines in treatment and helpline calls, it appears that rates of
gambling-related suicides have declined since 2000.
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