Kerry suicide rates still among highest

DROP IN FIGURES FOR 15 TO 24-YEAR-OLDS

KERRY CONTINUES to have one of the highest rates of suicide in Ireland, despite a 23 per cent fall in the number of young people between the ages of 15 and 24 taking their own lives last year compared to 2012.

Annual suicide figures released by the Central Statistics Office show that despite the drop, Kerry’s suicide rate is the third highest in the country, at 19.7 deaths per 100,000 population last year-almost twice the national average of 10.3. The only counties with a worse rate in 2013 were Cavan with 20.4 deaths by suicide per 100,000 people and Carlow with 20.

While the national suicide prevention and bereavement charity Console is welcoming a reduction in suicides nationally, it points out that Ireland still has the fourth highest rate of suicide in the EU for this demographic.

It is now calling for a real-time register of suicide data to be kept so that they can act on timely and accurate statistics to put measures in place to prevent such phenomena as suicide clustering or contagion.

“The regional data in some areas is alarming in the CSO statistics with several counties recording rates of suicide well above the national average of 10.3 per 100,000 population.,” said Console’s Director of Services Ciaran Austin. “We need significant changes and investment in research as the lack of accurate upto-date information is impeding our ability to understand and respond to the awful tragedy of suicide in a timely fashion.”

The charity, which has a dedicated full-time counselling centre in Tralee, also expressed concern at a 25.5 per cent rise in suicides in the 45-54 age group, from 86 people in 2012 to 108 in 2013. This was mirrored in a massive rise in 2013 to its 1800 247 247 helpline and its rural helpline due to the fodder crisis.

Counselling, advice and general support is available for any individual, couples, groups, families or children who have been affected by suicide.

Console can be reached at any time on freephone 1800 247 247 and many resources and useful information can be found at www.console.ie.