A new report says fewer young people in B.C. are committing suicide, but children in government-sponsored care are much more likely to consider suicide.
The report, titled Growing Up in B.C., is a joint effort by chief B.C. Medical Health Officer Dr. Perry Kendall and B.C. Children's Representative Mary Ellen-Turpel Lafond.
It's intended to provide a general overview of the major influences on the health and education of young people in the province and to allow the government to track these factors.
It found teenage birth rates, suicides and intentional injuries to children have all fallen, but children in care are nearly three times more likely to consider suicide and nearly six times more likely to have tried to kill themselves at least once.
It also found nearly 80 per cent of young people graduate from high school but aboriginal children are less likely to do well in school and face major social disadvantages and more health risks.
The Oppositon NDP says the report shows the Liberal government needs to take swift action to deal with child poverty.
