Canadian adults who increased cannabis use during the COVID-19 pandemic had nearly twice the odds of suicidal ideation, with social isolation and pre-existing depression also being strong risk factors.
Mental health clinicians, crisis intervention researchers, and public health professionals.
1.97x higher odds of suicidal ideation with increased pandemic cannabis use
What the researchers found
Those who reported increased cannabis use during the pandemic had 1.97 times higher odds of suicidal ideation. Cannabis consumers during the pandemic had 1.51 times higher odds. Pre-pandemic depression (OR 3.14) and continued negative impacts of social isolation (OR 1.53) were also significantly associated with suicidal thinking.
Why it matters
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated mental health challenges. Understanding how cannabis use during the pandemic related to suicidal ideation informs crisis-period intervention strategies.
The numbers in context
4,005 adults surveyed. Increased cannabis use: OR 1.97 for suicidal ideation. Cannabis use during pandemic: OR 1.51. Pre-pandemic depression: OR 3.14. Social isolation: OR 1.53.
How the study worked
Cross-sectional survey of 4,005 Canadian adults aged 18+ conducted April 20-28, 2021 by Mental Health Research Canada. Multivariable logistic regression adjusted for demographics, mental health conditions, social isolation, and substance use.
What this study cannot tell us
Cross-sectional design at a single pandemic time point. Self-reported cannabis use and mental health. Cannot determine whether cannabis use preceded or followed suicidal thoughts.
How to read the evidence
Moderate sample size with appropriate adjustments, but single time-point cross-sectional design during an unusual period limits generalizability.
When this study was published
Published in 2022 with data from April 2021.
The bigger picture
Whether increased cannabis use during the pandemic reflected self-medication for worsening mental health or independently contributed to suicidal ideation cannot be determined from this cross-sectional study.
Questions still open
- Did people increase cannabis use because they were experiencing suicidal thoughts, or did increased use contribute to those thoughts? How did cannabis use patterns change across different pandemic phases?
Common questions
Did cannabis use cause suicidal thoughts during the pandemic?
What were the strongest risk factors for suicidal ideation?
Read the original research
Suicidal ideation among Canadian adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: the role of psychosocial factors and substance use behaviours.
BMC psychiatry, 22(1), 711
Citation
Geda, Nigatu; Feng, Cindy; Peters, Brice. (2022). Suicidal ideation among Canadian adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: the role of psychosocial factors and substance use behaviours.. BMC psychiatry, 22(1), 711. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-022-04353-9
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