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Trends in suicide in Northern Ireland 1922-1992

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Paul H McCrea
Paul H McCrea*
Affiliation:
Arden Centre, Scroggy Road, Limavady, Co. Derry BT49 ONS, Northern Ireland
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Abstract

Objective: The trends in suicide in Northern Ireland over a 70 year period were examined with respect to sex, age and method used, and then compared with rates of unemployment and homicide.

Method: The records in the office of the registrar general in Belfast were examined to obtain data. Unemployment figures were obtained from the Department of Economic Development.

Results: Suicide is increasing in Northern Ireland and particularly in young men (aged 34 and under). There is a relation to unemployment although it is not felt to be directly causal. Men prefer more violent methods although vehicle exhaust gas is popular. A large number of women still choose drowning.

Conclusions: Despite all initiatives, the suicide rate is increasing in Northern Ireland, in common with many European countries. It represents a major health care issue. Measures of a social or political nature may have more effect than health care advances in reducing the rate of suicide.

Keywords

SuicideTrendsNorthern Ireland
Type
Original Papers
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 13 , Issue 1 , March 1996 , pp. 9 - 12
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

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