Suicide campaigns may be missing mark
A study of suicide notes by Dr Justin Brophy shows the stereotype suicides as lonely, isolated and depressed could be wide of the mark.
“Most people who commit suicide live at home with their family,” said Dr Brophy. “A new type of campaign should recognise that most suicides exhibit a whole range of emotions.”
The emotions most expressed in suicide notes are love and remorse, said Dr Brophy, who addressed a conference run by the Irish Association of Suicidology in the South Court Hotel, Limerick.
“Guilt and despair did not feature as much as you would have thought. I am sure most people in that situation feel despair but it only features in 15-20% of notes.
“Education campaigns may not be accessing all the people in the suicidal state and we should shape public information campaigns accordingly.”
Dr Brophy said it might be better to have a poster saying “suicide is bad way to say you are sorry” rather than current campaigns.
He said the Samaritans had begun to recognise this fact and had begun to shape their message to address all kinds of people who are suicidal. “They realise that people who are not lonely may be just as much at risk,” he said.
He also said the widespread belief that most suicides are young is wrong. “Youth suicide rates used to be higher but they have been surpassed,” Dr John Connolly, honorary secretary of the association, said.
Elderly men are more likely to take their own lives than any other group in Irish society, contrary to the perception that young people present a higher risk of suicide.
Dr Connolly said while older people generally made fewer suicide attempts, they tended to be more successful. “That’s partly because they are often more determined, but also elderly people are less likely to survive the effects of an overdose, for example.”
He said the suicide rate was higher in rural areas among all age groups and this partly reflected the lack of transport and social facilities available.
According to Professor Michael Fitzgerald, chairperson of the association, research has also shown a link between suicide risk and mental health problems among elderly people.
For information contact Josephine Scott. Telephone 094 42084. Email: joscott@eircom.net. Website: www.ias.ie
