Middle-aged poor men 10 times more likely to die by suicide

Middle-aged men from disadvantaged backgrounds are 10 times more likely to die by suicide because they have lost their masculine pride and identity, a study found.

The report, commissioned by helpline charity Samaritans, explored the reasons for suicide, beyond mental health problems, in men aged in their 30s to 50s.

Some 525 people died from suicide in Ireland last year, up from 486 in 2010, with men accounting for 84%.