Suicides among young people drop by 23%

The number of suicides among young people fell significantly last year by almost a quarter compared to 2012 figures.

Provisional figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that 57 young people aged 15-24 died by suicide in 2013 compared to 74 the previous year — a drop of 23%.

Overall suicide figures also fell, although not so substantially.

Records show a total of 475 people took their own lives last year, a fall of 34 or 6.3% on the 2012 figure.

However, against the downward trend, there was a 25.6% rise in the number of middle-aged people dying by suicide.

Some 108 people aged 45-54 died compared to 86 in this age group in 2012.

Suicide-prevention and bereavement charity Console said that the figures in this category mirrored a rise in calls to its helpline from people in this age group during 2013.

“In particular, we saw a huge increase in calls to our rural helpline in 2013 due to the fodder crisis,” said Console’s director of services, Ciaran Austin.

“The regional data in some areas is alarming, with several counties recording rates of suicide well above the national average.”

Nationally, the suicide rate is 10.3 per 100,000 of the population, but much higher rates were recorded in counties Cavan, 20.4%; Carlow, 20%; Kerry, 19.4%; Roscommon, 18.6%; and Wexford, 15.7%.

Console also warned against complacency on suicides among young people.

“While the drop in deaths by suicide in this category is welcome, Ireland still has the fourth highest rate of suicide in the EU for this demographic and this clearly needs more attention.”

The organisation has called for a real-time register of suicide data to be maintained so that action can be taken to prevent the possibility of cluster and copycat suicides.

Collecting data on suicides is complex, however, as the cause of death may require an inquest which may not conclude for some time.

There are also variations in the way different agencies count suicides with the HSE’s National Office for Suicide Prevention generally publishing higher figures than the CSO.

The number of deaths does not provide the full picture about suicide.

Figures published by the National Suicide Research Foundation yesterday show there were more than 12,000 cases of deliberate self-harm treated in hospital emergency departments in 2012.

The 12,010 cases recorded involved 9,483 individuals so a significant proportion, 21%, were repeat incidents by the same person.

Between 2003 and 2012, one in eight, or 12%, of all self-harm cases treated in hospitals involved people who had previously self-harmed 10 or more times.

While those who self-harm often do not intend to take their own lives, the foundation said: “The impact of people who engage in patterns of frequent self-harm is extensive in terms of increased suicide risk for those involved, the concerns of family members, and healthcare staff.”

Console runs a 24-hour helpline to support people feeling suicidal or in crisis, as well as those bereaved by suicide. Freephone 1800 247247. Samaritans are also available 24 hours a day on freephone 116 123.