Tenfold rise in suicides since 1960s

There has been an almost tenfold increase in the numbers of suicides in Ireland since the early 1960s, according to the organisers of an international conference on suicide which opens in Killarney, Co Kerry, tomorrow.

According to the Irish Association of Suicidology the average number of suicides in the first five years of the 1960s was 64. However, the association said the latest figures are expected to show about 600 people a year on average now take their own life in the Republic.

The association, which is hosting the four-day World Congress of the International Association for Suicide Prevention, said it believes suicides in the Republic may still be under reported.

According to the Irish association's president, Fine Gael TD Dan Neville, many deaths such as those in single vehicle crashes or drownings, may be suicides.

But Mr Neville told The Irish Times that the most up-to-date statistics compiled by Prof Kevin Malone of St Vincent's Hospital, were expected to put the figure "at about 600 a year on average".

The figure is up to 150 more than health professionals had previously thought, he said. Mr Neville added that the Republic is particularly prone to suicides of young people and the "young elderly" - those in the 60 to 70 age group. According to Mr Neville figures for these groups reveal that suicide is more severe here than in many parts of eastern Europe and new EU accession countries. In comparison to other European countries he said we were "about average or a little below".

Speaking yesterday in advance of the conference Minister of State Dr Jimmy Devins said he hoped to significantly expand spending on suicide prevention in the coming years.

The conference, which will be attended by up to 800 medical and other professionals from around the world will share ex- perience of suicide prevention.

One of the seminars "Suicide and the Internet" will examine the much publicised negative role that the internet can play in relation to suicide, but most importantly will emphasise the benefits of using the internet to promote suicide prevention and provide support.

The seminar features guest speakers including representatives from social networking sites such as Bebo and the Irish Internet Providers Association. It has been organised by Rehab due to concern over suicides and deliberate self-harm among 15 to 24-year-olds, an age group with high internet usage.

Rachel O'Connell, safety officer for Bebo, will highlight the challenges in ensuring the internet is safe for young people, while Paul Durrant from the Irish Internet Providers Association, who has been involved in closing down websites with inappropriate content, will speak about the legal and moral perspectives of his work.

Anthony Langan, of the Samaritans in the UK, will explain their campaign to promote online options for vulnerable people.