New figures reveal there were almost 490 deaths by suicide in 2013.
The National Office for Suicide Prevention’s annual report also shows that last year more than 8,790 individuals involved in self-harm turned up at hospitals around the country.
While overall rates for suicide in Ireland are relatively low by European comparison, the Health Service Executive says rates among people under 25 are a significant concern.
The report also reveals suicide rates among men are four times that of women.
Last year the Government launched a national strategy which aims to see a 10% reduction in the rates of suicide by 2020.
Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, Ms Helen McEntee TD, said, “Suicide prevention is everyone’s concern and the Government is committed to the implementation of Connecting for Life and reaching our 10% target for the reduction in suicide by 2020.”
The report also outlines that the National Office for Suicide Prevention received an increase of approximately 20% on 2014’s budget, bringing the office’s total budget to €11.87 million. This increase represented the Government’s greatest investment to date in suicide prevention in a calendar year.
Director of the National Office for Suicide Prevention, Gerry Raleigh said, “These reports highlight the challenge of suicide and self-harm in Ireland, but also the excellent work undertaken by services, organisations and communities across Ireland in 2015. Thanks to the increased budget in 2015, we were able to invest more in services and supports nationwide, and it is encouraging to see also the increased uptake in these services.”
The National Suicide Research Foundation has developed a new website www.suicidesupportandinformation.ie, funded by the Health Research Board (HRB) Ireland.
The website is unique in that it provides evidence based information on bereavement following suicide and responding to people at risk of suicide, both for people bereaved by suicide, health professionals, including GPs and mental health professionals, as well as the general public.
>
