‘Positive signs’ in suicide rate fall-off

The number of suicides in Ireland is decreasing, having risen considerably between 2007 and 2012.

The HSE published its National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) 2016 report yesterday. It is based on data from 2014 and refers to provisional information for 2015 and 2016.

“In 2014, there were 486 confirmed suicide deaths in Ireland. Provisional data for 2015 and 2016 suggests a decreasing trend in Ireland’s suicides rates, since then, which is a very positive sign,” said Anne O’Connor, the national director of the HSE’s mental-health division.