Ontario Electroshock ("ECT") Statistics 2000-2002 (third draft) compiled by Don Weitz source: Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Government of Ontario note: These shock statistics are the most recently available a through a Freedom of Information application-request. Outpatient shock figures for 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 figures do not include a breakdown by gender, because they are not yet available. Per cents are rounded off to the nearest whole number. If these statistics are cited or published, please indicate they are approximate and incomplete. I calculated all totals and per cents by gender and age from the raw data. My sincere thanks and appreciation to Bill Ng in the Ministry for his assistance. 2001-2002 (figures based on fiscal year April 1 - March 31) ECTs Inpatient 11,060 - 80% Outpatient 2,974 - 20% Grand Total 14,034 - 100% Persons (cases) Inpatients 1,314 - 80% Outpatients 342 - 20% Grand Total 1,656 - 100% Total Avg ECTs/Patient = 8 Women ECTs 7,514 - 68% Persons (cases) 889 - 68% Men ECTs 3,546 - 32% Persons (cases) 425 - 32% Women 65+ years old ECTs 2,392 - 72% Persons (cases) 295 - 74% Men 65+ years old ECTs 932 - 28% Persons (cases) 105 - 26% Total 65 years old ECTs 3,324 - 30% (of Grand Total) Persons (cases) 400 - 30% (of Grand Total) 2000-2001 (figures based on fiscal year April 1 - March 31) ECTs Inpatient 12, 253 - 80% Outpatient 2, 530 - 20% Grand Total 14, 783 - 100% Persons (cases) Inpatients 1,372 - 80% Outpatients 387 - 20% Grand Total 1,759 - 100% Approximate Total Avg ECTs/Person = 9 Women (based on inpatient figures only) ECTs 7,903 - 65% Persons (cases) 910 - 66% Men (based on inpatient figures only) ECTs 4,350 - 35% Persons (cases) 462 - 34% Women 65+ years old ECTs 2,683 - 70% Persons (cases) 306 - 73% Men 65+ years old ECTs 1,131 - 30% Persons (cases) 113 -27% Total 65+ years old ECTs 3,814 - 25% (of Grand Total) Persons (cases) 419 - 24% (of Grand Total) Brief Comment: These statistics indicate several major points: First, most electroshock (80%) is administered to inpatients, particularly in general hospitals, and approximately one-fifth (20%) is administered to outpatients. Second, the total number of electroshocks has decreased slightly from approximately 14,783 in 2000-2001 to 14,034 in 2001-2002. Third, in both years twice as many women as men are administered electroshock (68% vs 34%). Fourth, approximately 30% of people administered electroshock are elderly, 65 years and older. Fifth, a disproportionately large number of elderly women are subjected to electroshock. Approximately 75% of elderly shock patients are women, three times as many women as men. These facts support the claim of critics who assert that electroshock is both sexist and ageist. For further critical information on electroshock, see these websites: www.ect.org, www.harborside.com/~equinox/ect.htm, www.mindfreedom.org, www.breggin.com Don Weitz 1401-38 Orchard View Blvd., Toronto, Ontario M4R 2G3 dweitz@pathcom.com