Peter Barry
Question:30 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Health whether he plans to initiate research into the cause of the 150 per cent growth in suicides in Ireland in the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Suicide Rate Research.
Seán Barrett
Question:32 Mr. S. Barrett asked the Minister for Health whether he plans to initiate research into the cause of the 150 per cent growth in suicides in Ireland in the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Bernard Allen
Question:125 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health the proposals, if any, he has to deal with the rapid rise in the number of suicides amongst young men as set out by the Dublin City Coroner in a recent Irish Medical Times publication which confirms recent trends in other parts of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 30, 32 and 125 together.
The most recent year for which final figures for deaths from suicide are available is 1989. In that year there were 278 reported suicides. The corresponding figure for 1979 was 193 — this represents an increase of 44 per cent over the period.
Research into issues such as suicide is primarily a matter for the Health Research Board and that body has carried out a number of studies in this area. This research has tended to concentrate on suicide rates and on the accuracy of reporting systems.
With regard to the number of suicides amongst young men, a tabular statement which I will circulate in the Official Report sets out the position in this matter.
The response to threatened or attempted suicide is primarily a matter for the health board psychiatric services who provide services to those suffering from psychological distress.
The community based psychiatric service which are now being developed place an emphasis on the treatement of people in local community settings without the disruptive effects of hospital admission. These localised services, which include facilities such as day centres, day hospitals, workshops and community residences, are making the psychiatric services more accessible and these services are ideally positioned to develop links with local organisations. The provision of community based services also permits the development of close links between mental health professionals and other statutory and voluntary agencies working at local community level. This contact facilitates the early identification of people at risk so that the necessary intervention and treatment programmes can be introduced at a stage where they can be much more effective in preventing suicides.
Deputies may also wish to note that the recently published Green Paper on Mental Health discusses issues relevant to suicide and attempted suicide.
Tabular Statement
Reported male suicides in the 15-24 age group
|
Year |
Number of reported male suicides in the 15-24 age group |
|
1979 |
29 |
|
1980 |
17 |
|
1981 |
29 |
|
1982 |
31 |
|
1983 |
46 |
|
1984 |
25 |
|
1985 |
48 |
|
1986 |
34 |
|
1987 |
29 |
|
1988 |
47 |
|
1989 |
41 |