Suicide Case Study, Theories, Application and Solutions

Suicide is a major public problem faced by many ethnic groups and organizations such as the Inuit and other aboriginal tribes. Suicide among the Inuit of Nunavut is of epidemic proportions compared to other territories and provinces in Canada. Research suggests that cultural, environmental, and socioeconomic factors affect suicide rates. Guided by Durkheim’s theory on suicide, this study investigated potential predictive factors of Inuit suicide, including childhood abuse, alcohol and drug abuse, cultural integration and erosion, socioeconomic status, availability of accessible housing, and unemployment. A mixed-methods research design based on grounded theory and descriptive statistics was used to collect and analyze data. Data were collected by examining suicide statistical databases, administering a questionnaire, and conducting personal interviews. Analysis of data by coding showed that the factors and causes of Inuit suicide are numerous and complex. Interview and survey results indicated that high cost of living, inadequate health care support, lack of education, high unemployment rate, alcohol and drug abuse, crowded homes, hopelessness and helplessness, relationship problems, loss of culture, and abuse influence the propensity to commit suicide. Analysis of the study results suggested that addressing the factors of suicide by increasing social supports, training and education, and improvements in housing and unemployment could reduce suicide. This study could be a catalyst for social change because it identified the key factors of suicide among the Inuit and suggested ways to address them. Preventing a suicide means preserving life, saving rehiring and training costs for an organization, and preventing the feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. The results of this study could help guide policymakers who address Inuit social problems and provide a basis for additional research on suicide.