Forty per cent of suicides in Ireland are men under the age of 31, a report on suicide in Ireland says.
The report, unveiled today by the Minister of State at the Department of Health Dr Tom Moffatt, also indicated that almost five times more men die from suicide women, with suicide being the principal cause of death for men aged 15-35 years.
Commissioned by the chief executive officers and conducted by the Departments of Public Health of the regional health boards, Suicide in Ireland - A National Studyrevealed almost one in three men who committed suicide were unemployed|Amand that two thirds of these had been unemployed for more than a year.
Mental health disorders, in particular depression, remain the highest risk factor for suicide. Recent significant events prior to death have also been noted as important factors, as has the misuse of alcohol.
The break-up of relationships was also identified as an important factor in almost a fifth of those who died, and almost a quarter of those studied had a known history of deliberate self-harm.
A number of recommendations were made in the report, including the development of a community-wide, flexible range of mental health services.
The report also recommended the development of support structures for primary care, and the fostering and funding of continuing education for GPs on suicide.
Each health board is recommended to review the findings of the study when planning and reviewing their services and should appoint a co-ordinator to implement a strategy to improve men’s health.