Home > HRB overview of suicide in Ireland.

Walsh, Simone and Lyons, Suzi (2008) HRB overview of suicide in Ireland. Drugnet Ireland, Issue 27, Autumn 2008, p. 22.

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This publication, the seventh in the HRB Overview Series, looks at the rates of self-harm and suicide in Ireland from 1864 to 2006, discusses possible motives for suicide and reviews prevention measures.1

 The author notes that suicide in Ireland has been greatly under-reported in the past, and that the recorded rate fluctuated widely in the period under review. The rate increased steadily between 1968 and 1989, and then accelerated to a peak in 1998, followed by a slow decline between 2001 and 2006.
 
According to the report, the incidence of suicide among Irish males is three to four times greater than that among females; this finding is in line with international research. Significant mental illness is a factor in a proportion of suicides. Alcohol consumption was found to have a link to suicide, with European research showing that as many as one in six suicides are alcohol-related.2 The author of this overview suggests that the control of alcohol-related problems may be the only evidence-based approach to the prevention of suicide and self-harm.
 
A full copy of the overview may be downloaded from the publications section of the HRB website at www.hrb.ie/publications. To request a hard copy of the report, email Fiona Bannon at fbannon@hrb.ie or by phoning +353 1 2345148.  
 
1. Walsh D (2008) Suicide, attempted suicide and prevention in Ireland and elsewhere,  HRB Overview Series 7. Dublin: Health Research Board..
2. Anderson P and Baumberg B (2006) Alcohol in Europe. London: Institute of Alcohol Studies.
Item Type
Article
Publication Type
Irish-related, Open Access, Article
Drug Type
All substances
Intervention Type
Prevention
Issue Title
Issue 27, Autumn 2008
Date
2008
Page Range
p. 22
Publisher
Health Research Board
Volume
Issue 27, Autumn 2008
EndNote
Accession Number
HRB (Available)

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