Suicide rate continues to fall.

[freedomlover]

The latest CSO figures on suicide in Ireland (i.e. Republic of Ireland) were published this morning. In 2006 the number of suicides registered fell to 409, the lowest figure for over a decade (even lower when the large increase in population is considered). It is a total myth perpretrated by left-wing health journalists that the suicide rate in Ireland continues to rise. It did rise from the early 1960s up until 1998. But, 1998 was the peak year and its been falling ever since. The actual figures for the number of suicides registered each year since then are:

1998 504
1999 439
2000 413
2001 448
2002 451
2003 444
2004 457
2005 431
2006 409

When the increase in population is taken into account, the suicide rate fell from about 13.5 in 1998 to 9.7 in 2006. This trend is in marked contrast to that in Northern Ireland. The suicide rate in Northen Ireland has risen sharply over the same period and in 2006 there were 290 suicides registered there, which would correspond to over 700 in the Republic when the difference in population size is taken into account.

note: for those familiar with CSO statistics the above figures are based on the number of deaths registered - the CSO also publishes a series based on deaths occurring up to 2004 which are slightly higher but show the same downward trend since 1998

[locke]

Out of interest how does this compare to the number of 18-30 year old males in the population.

i.e. can this be put down to demographic changes or is it more substantial?

[freedomlover]

Out of interest how does this compare to the number of 18-30 year old males in the population.

i.e. can this be put down to demographic changes or is it more substantial?

I will look at the figures in detail after work tonight and post a reply to your question then.

[scitilop]

What this doesn't take into account is the growing number of families to wish to have the suicide of their loved one's registered as other than by suicide.

[TheBear]

What this doesn't take into account is the growing number of families to wish to have the suicide of their loved one's registered as other than by suicide.

I would have thought the tendency to do that would be on the decrease, given the general move away from strict Catholicism in Irish society. The Catholic Church would have refused to allow a suicide victim be buried in a consecrated graveyard, and so the cause of death was often changed to prevent the person going to purgatory.

Also, there is less of a social stigma covering the area these days, with more opportunities to seek counselling for problems, and more help available to families who have had a suicide in the family.

Of course, I could be wrong in that.

[Trefor]

Perhaps that with all the cribbing and moaning people get up to nowdays they don't have the time to commit suicide.

[scitilop]

You would think so but I believe many families still don't want the final documents to state suicide rather than "misadventure", or similar. It would be interesting to see what the figures are like for death by misadventure

[Akrasia]

Fear of the catholic church may be replaced by fear of insurance companies. Most Life Assurance policies will not pay out in the case of suicide, and all home owners now have mortgage protection insurance so the incentive to have a 'death by misadventure' verdict is high.

I'm not saying that this is the cause of the falling figures. If suicide is indeed falling, then it's very good news, but I don't see it myself. I know of at least 4 people who have taken their own lives this year alone.

[Stroke]

It hasn't gone away, though. From RTE yesterday....

Depression is the third most disruptive illness in Ireland, according to new research launched today.

The Lundbeck Mental Health Barometer claims depression can have a more negative effect on a person's life than cancer, Parkinson's, heart disease or anxiety.

An estimated 400,000 people in Ireland suffer from depression at any one time.

However, more than two-thirds of people questioned for the latest study say they would be embarrassed to discuss it with their peers.

More than one-quarter also believe depression is a state of mind rather than an illness.

[stretchneil]

Also worth noting the decreasing overall death rate during that time:

31,563 - 1998
32,608 - 1999
31,391 - 2000
30,212 - 2001
29,683 - 2002
29,074 - 2003
28,665 - 2004
27,441 - 2005
27,479 - 2006

Which means, as a percentage of total deaths in Ireland:

1998 504 = 1.60%
1999 439 = 1.35%
2000 413 = 1.32%
2001 448 = 1.48%
2002 451 = 1.52%
2003 444 = 1.53%
2004 457 = 1.59%
2005 431 = 1.57%
2006 409 = 1.49%

Which at least shows us that the percentage of total deaths in Ireland by suicide is virtually unchanged at any point over the last decade (with the minor exceptions of '99 and '00 - I assume due to the extremely good economic situation in those years, but that's entirely speculative on my part). Certainly, the figures have dropped for 2006, but it would take considerably more than a quick look at the CSO report to determine whether this is a wider indication of a reduction in suicides.

That said, the number of deaths by events of undetermined intent was just 66, which represents a decrease of 27% on the previous year, which means that we are getting better at classifying such deaths, and would also imply a further reduction in number of probable suicides for the year.

Which is good news, certainly, as is the fact that the suidicde rate per thousand has declined over the last decade.

However, the fact that 1.5% of deaths over the last decade have been by suicide surely remains concerning, and it's an issue which will require full cross-party co-operation to resolve.