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Proposal would restrict access to suicide locations

Access to certain locations where suicides have taken place may be limited under proposals being formulated by the National Suicide Research Foundation and other interested groups.

Dr Ella Arensman of the NSRF said preliminary talks had taken place about the possibility of focussing on certain parts of the River Shannon where suicides are known to have taken place.

However, she stressed that no talks had yet taken place with the local authorities in question, and the discussions elsewhere were at a very early stage.

One possibility would be placing glass partitions in areas near bridges where suicides have taken place.

Another possible course of action is to place signage advertising support services such as the Samaritans in the area.

“We have not yet evaluated that but it is very worthwhile to take on such efforts,” said Dr Arensman.

The plans are being formulated as new data indicates a strong link between the recession and suicide.

Comparative data compiled by the NSRF shows the suicide rate has increased in Ireland and in other countries such as Spain, Lithuania, and Estonia since the start of the recession in 2008.

The rise in suicides here in that period was most marked in the 20-39 age group.

Hanging is the most prevalent method of suicide among young men, while among women aged 55 and over, drowning is the most common method.

Through its data gathering for the Suicide Support and Information System (SSIS) — a pilot study looking in-depth at suicide cases over a two-year period in the south — the NSRF has also confirmed that a suicide “cluster” developed in an area north of Cork City between Sept 2008 and Dec 2010.

During that time, 19 people died by suicide, including 10 who knew each other closely.

Dr Arensman said given the current time delay between suicide deaths happening and the compiling of official figures, reacting in time to the development of clusters would be problematic.

The outcomes of the SSIS pilot have been compiled in a report and will be launched next month by Kathleen Lynch, who is the minister of state with responsibility for mental health.

Ms Lynch will also launch the annual report for 2011 on data from the National Registry of Deliberate Self Harm.

Dr Arensman made her comments during a talk at City Colleges in Dublin.

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