Cannabis, Mental Health and Suicidality: Understanding the Relationship in a University Student Population

Stressful experiences are common among university students, who also may use cannabis to cope. Previous evidence suggests a relationship between cannabis use and suicidal behaviours; however, the nature of this relationship remains unclear. For example, while acute cannabis use can offer immediate stress relief, high-risk users (e.g., daily or near daily use) may enhance baseline stress, exacerbating mental health symptoms and therefore increasing the risk of presenting suicidal behaviours. This thesis explores the complex relationship between stress, depression, anxiety, and suicidal behaviour among a population of university students, considering the mediating role of cannabis use. Data was collected from Carleton University undergraduates (N = 100) using self-reported questionnaires assessing anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory), depression (Beck Depression Inventory), cannabis use (Cannabis Use Disorder Identification Test (Revised); Cannabis Use Questionnaire), stress (Perceived Stress Scale, University Stress Scale), and suicidal behaviours (Suicidal Behavior Questionnaire (Revised)). Findings revealed a significant positive correlation between cannabis use and suicidal behaviour scores. Mediation analysis further indicated that cannabis use mediates the relationship between depression and suicidal ideation. Specifically, higher depression scores were associated with increased cannabis use, which in turn, was linked to greater suicidal behaviour. Further, those who used cannabis to cope, compared to those who used it recreationally, had higher suicide scores. Understanding these pathways is crucial for developing targeted interventions and public health strategies aimed at reducing suicide risk among university students who use cannabis, especially those experiencing stress and mental health challenges.