One-in-three deaths in 15-24 age group caused by suicide, finds report

SUICIDE accounts for almost one-third of all deaths in the 15-24 age group in Ireland, according to a report published yesterday.

The shock figure was revealed at a conference on youth suicide prevention in Belfast. The report - Youth Suicide Prevention: an evidence briefing - makes a series of recommendations on how governments north and south of the Border should act to prevent youth suicide. It was launched by Dr Henrietta Campbell, Northern Ireland’s chief medical officer.

Dr Philip Crowley, one of the authors, said more people in the 15-24 age group were taking their own lives than were killed in road accidents. The situation was worst in Ireland, he said. In the Republic there were 12 suicides in the age group per 100,000 of population in 1991, but it had risen to 17.5 by 2001. In the North the rate rose from 10.5 to 14.2 in the same period.

“Unemployment and suicide are linked, especially in young men and rates of suicidal behaviour are higher among manual occupation groups,” said Dr Crowley.

“Social measures need to prevent suicide by addressing the broader socio-economic and environmental determinants of health.”

Youth Suicide Prevention is a join initiative between the Health Development Agency the Institute of Public Health in Ireland and Programme for Action for Children in Ireland.

It has identified key risk factors that need attention when developing future youth suicide prevention programmes:

A history of suicide.

A history of depression.

Substance misuse.

Poor family circumstances.

Certain personality traits such as poor problem-solving ability, impulsiveness and aggression.

The availability and means to commit suicide.

Institute of Public Health in Ireland director Dr Jane Wilde said: “Suicide is a very important public health issue in Ireland, causing real concern in the community and we all wish to understand more to help in its prevention.”

She said the report was a contribution to their knowledge and it was hoped it would help those working in the area.

Professor Mike Kelly, director of evidence and guidance at the HDA, added: “We recommend systematic evaluation of the existing approaches that appear to work.”