Coroner, First Nations urge B.C. to act on high number of youth deaths
VICTORIA – A new report on unexpected deaths says Indigenous youth in British Columbia died at a rate almost two times higher than non-Aboriginal youth over a six-year period ending in 2015.
The BC Coroners Service and First Nations Health Authority reviewed the unexpected deaths of 95 Indigenous young people between the ages of 15 and 24 during the period between January 2010 and December 2015.
They make a series of broad recommendations including reducing barriers to services for Indigenous youth and promoting connections to family, community and culture.
The review says prevention programs for Indigenous youth should consider a focus on cultural diversity and community strengths in their communities.
The report found accidental deaths in motor vehicle crashes, drownings and overdoses accounted for 60 per cent of Indigenous youth deaths, while suicide accounted for 32 per cent of the deaths.
The report says almost 25 per cent of the Indigenous youth who died were parents of young children.
Join the Conversation!
Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?
You must be logged in to post a comment.
