HSE Reports Fall In Annual Suicide Rates

New statistics have shown that suicide rates fell to 352 in 2018, a decrease of 40 deaths on the previous year.

282 of those who died by suicide last year were male, while 70 were female.

The figures were revealed as the HSE publishes its annual report from the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP), which found that Ireland's overall suicide rate is not in high when compared with European statistics.

In 2016, Ireland's overall suicide rate was 9.37 per 100,000 population. This was the 11th lowest of 34 European countries.

However, Ireland's suicide rate among young people aged between 15 and 19 is high by European comparison, ranking the 9th highest of 33 European countries

The suicide rate between 2016 and 2018 was highest in Monaghan, Cavan and parts of Cork.

Counties Kerry, Leitrim and Westmeath also recorded high amounts of suicide. It was lowest in Fingal in south Dublin.

Based on the 2016 date, the age categories with the highest rates of suicide are;

• Aged 45-54 among males and females together

• Aged 55-64 among males (from 2010 to 2015, the rate was highest in those aged 45-54)

• Aged 55-64 among females (from 2012 to 2014, the rate was highest in those aged 45-54).