Most suicides linked to drink problems
The research also shows that more than half of the 190 people who died by suicide in Co Cork between September 2008 and March of last year had experienced some form of relationship difficulty in the year before they died.
The study, to be published by the Cork-based National Suicide Research Foundation in the coming months, also shows that one-third of those who died had worked in construction and that many of those who took their own lives had recently become unemployed.
The foundations’ in-depth study is based on information from three different sources — coroners, interviews with family members and questionnaires filled out by GPs who had treated many of those who died.
Dr Ella Arensman, its director of research, said the data will indicate that there is an urgent need to ring-fence money to help treat growing rates of self-harm, especially amongst men.
The data shows that of the 190 people whose deaths were attributed to suicide in Cork over the period, 45% had at some point in their lives carried out at least one act of self-harming.
There also appears to be a link between the pressures of the recession — and particularly rising unemployment — and suicide.
Dr Arensman said: “I would have concerns that there is still a lack of awareness and realisation how important and negative the consequences of the recession have been for people’s health and especially their mental health.
“People in a recession with a mental health problems should be prioritised and given the supports that they need.”
She said it was still not possible to make a direct link between issues such as unemployment and suicide, although there does appear to be evidence that the effects of the recession have at least been a factor in a number of suicides.
Dr Arensman said two-thirds of cases showed the person had issues with alcohol but many would also have suffered from some type of depression.
She said it was not possible to state whether drinking had been used as a coping mechanism or whether it was a symptom or even a cause of mental health problems.
“I do know that since the time of recession we have found evidence for an increased association between alcohol and self-harm.”
Some people who had displayed problematic drinking behaviour but were working lost some structure in their lives when they lost their jobs, she said, while there was also evidence of people who had previously not displayed any issues with heavy drinking but did so once they lost their jobs.
The majority of suicides looked at in the study involved people aged between 20 and 39. While one-third worked in construction, the next most frequently identified group was those who had been or were working in agriculture, followed by those in business and commerce, those in healthcare positions and then taxi drivers.
More than 80% of deaths were of men, and overall, one-third were either married or cohabiting. Some 55% had experienced serious relationship problems with a partner in the year prior to death.
Dr Arensman said one positive aspect of recent years was the growth in the number of people with greater awareness and skills training regarding suicide and self-harm prevention but she stressed the need to ensure adequate resources are provided in these and other areas.
The foundations’ report will be published in the next two months.
* www.letsomeoneknow.ie
* Samaritans: 1850 609090
* Childline: 1800 666 666
* 190 suicides reported in Cork City and county between September 2008 and March 2011.
* 66% showed issues with alcohol.
* 45% had self-harmed at least once.
* 33% had been working in construction.
* 55% had serious relationship difficulties.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
