Self-Reported Alcohol Abuse and the Desire to Receive Mental Health Counselling Predict Suicidal Thoughts/Thoughts of Self-Harm among Female Residents of Fort McMurray

Abstract

Suicidal ideation and thoughts of self-harm continue to be challenging public health problems. It is presently unknown what the prevalence and correlates of suicidal thoughts and self-harm are in female residents of Fort McMurray, a city that has endured wildfires, flooding, and the COVID-19 pandemic in the last five years. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of suicidal ideation and thoughts of self-harm among female residents of Fort McMurray. A cross-sectional study using an online survey questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic and clinical information from the residents of Fort McMurray between 24 April and 2 June 2021. Suicidal ideation and thoughts of self-harm among females were assessed using the ninth question of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, a validated screening tool used to assess depression symptoms. Likely generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), major depressive disorder (MDD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and low resilience were measured using standardized rating scales. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 25 using chi-squared tests and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Among Fort McMurray residents, 249 accessed the online survey, while 186 ultimately completed it, yielding a survey completion rate of 74.7%. Of these, 159 (85%) were females. After controlling for other variables in the regression model, respondents who expressed a desire to receive mental health counselling were more than seven times more likely to report suicidal ideation and thoughts of self-harm compared to the respondents who did not desire to receive mental health counselling (OR: 7.29; 95% CI: 1.19–44.58). Similarly, respondents who reported having abused alcohol in the past year were nearly four times more likely to report suicidal ideation or thoughts of self-harm compared to the respondents who said they had not abused alcohol in the past year (OR: 3.91; 95% CI: 1.05–14.57). A high prevalence of suicidal thoughts and thoughts of self-harm were reported among female residents of Fort McMurray. Timely access to adequate mental health support should be offered to female residents of communities impacted by multiple natural disasters, particularly residents who self-report alcohol abuse or desire to receive mental health counselling.

Exploring Sociodemographic Characteristics, Adverse Childhood Experience, and Mental Health History as Predictors of Anxiety and Depression among Adolescents and Young Adults: Findings from the MoreGoodDays Support Program in Alberta, Canada

“…In our study, demographic variables, such as age, education, employment, and relationship status, as well as clinical variables, including anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and adverse childhood experiences (ACE), did not independently predict likely GAD or MDD. This finding aligns with another study that did not find independent predictors of suicidal ideation and self-harm among participants [ 49 ]. However, it contradicts a different study suggesting a statistically significant association between anxiety level and participant age [ 8 ].…”

“…Desire to receive mental health counseling has been associated with an increased likelihood of other mental health issues. For example, a study reported that individuals who desired to receive mental health counseling were seven times more likely to report suicidal ideation and thoughts of self-harm relative to participants who did not desire counseling [ 49 ]. A cross-sectional study among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic also found that individuals with anxiety and depression symptoms significantly desired more psychological knowledge and interventions [ 55 ].…”

“…The desire to receive mental health counseling may indicate psychological distress and the need for intervention. Other studies proposed that the desire for mental health counseling may offer better insight into possible mental distress than individual clinical variables, necessitating the importance of providing prompt online psychological counseling services during the pandemic [ 49 , 56 ].…”

Depression and Anxiety among Undergraduate Health Science Students: A Scoping Review of the Literature

“…Among the female gender, relationships with peers in the year of study slightly reduced anxiety (51%) [67]. On the contrary, some studies have suggested that relationship status does not independently predict mental health issues [5,99]. Other general relationships, such as satisfaction with faculty and peer relationships, still led to a considerably high prevalence of anxiety (66.8%), with dissatisfaction with administration leading to even higher anxiety at 74% [60].…”

“…The impact of these conditions on quality of life is significant. They are associated with decreased productivity, social isolation, and, in severe cases, suicide [4,5]. Among undergraduate health science students, the prevalence of depression and anxiety is exceptionally high, likely due to the demanding academic curriculum, clinical rotations, and personal stressors [6,7].…”