More died from suicide in Clare last year than on the roads

Rising suicide figures for Co Clare show that more people took their own lives last year than died in motor incidents.

Men, particularly those in their 20s, were predominant among those believed to have died by suicide, according to provisional figures released by the Clare county coroner's office.

The figures show 17 people - 16 male and one female - are suspected of taking their own lives last year.

This compares with 13 lives lost through suicide in 2006, and 10 suspected suicides in 2005.

Twelve people were killed in road crashes in Clare last year.

The figures also show that last year in Clare, suicide was, for the second year running, a predominantly rural-based phenomenon, with 11 of the 17 suspected suicides taking place in rural parts.

In relation to the age profile of those who died, young males were the most vulnerable.

The figures show that those aged in their 20s were most likely to commit suicide, with six men in their 20s among those who died.

The figures also show that three men in their 30s, 40s and 50s also lost their lives through suicides.

The figures show that two suspected suicides occurred at the Cliffs of Moher.

The statistics also show that the largest proportion of suicides took place during the summer months.

Last year more than a third of the suicides took place during June, when six are thought to have occurred.

There were two in May and two in July, resulting in 10 suspected suicides during the summer months.

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Moosajee Bhamjee said it was a source of concern that the number of suicides was increasing in the county.

The former Labour TD said: "It is a source of concern, and I would say to people that there is help available and for friends or family to intervene on a friend or a family member's behalf if they feel that they are in trouble."

Dr Bhamjee added: "I feel that there isn't enough of an emphasis on older people being vulnerable to suicide, and for older people, they won't go for help and their depressions can be prolonged and quite deep, but these suicides are preventable if help is sought."

Dr Bhamjee also called on the Health Service Executive to put in place more resources to deal with mental health issues and to provide quicker access to services for those requiring assistance.

On suicide being almost an exclusively male phenomenon in Clare last year, Dr Bhamjee said: "Men don't seek help because of pride and because they have difficulty talking about their feelings."

The telephone number for the Samaritans in Ennis is 1850-609090.