Fears over media as 6% of suicides are copycat acts

AROUND 6% of the 431 registered suicides last year were copycat acts, new research shows.

With suicide remaining the biggest cause of death among men and women under the age of 35 in Ireland, there is concern that some media reporting of suicide may influence those already vulnerable.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) is urging the media not to sensationalise someone taking their own life.