Suicide in Northern Ireland
Suicides in Northern Ireland - did you know?
- Northern Ireland has a population of approximately 1.7 million
- In 2007, 242 deaths were registered as suicides (source: Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency).
- During the period 1987 to 2003, a total of 2,586 deaths were registered as suicide
- The number of male suicides has increased steadily over recent years (during the late 1990’s and the early 2000’s). The female suicide rate has remained relatively constant over the same period.
- Protect Life: A Shared Vision is the Northern Ireland Suicide Prevention Strategy & Action Plan (2006 – 2011).
Statistics
for the years 1999 - 2003 showed:
- More males die as a result of suicide than in transport accidents
- More males die through suicide than as a result of either accidental falls or poisoning
- More females die as a result of suicide than in transport accidents but fewer die as
a result of suicide than from other
external causes and accidental falls
- Incidents of suicide were most common in those aged between 25 to 34 years
- Suicide
rates tended to be higher in urban than in rural areas
Unless otherwise stated, the above information was sourced from the Suicide Prevention Strategy Consultation documents. The main report can be found on the DHSSPS
website or here.
- Suicide
doesn’t just affect the younger generations - approximately one in eight of all suicides in Northern Ireland are in the over-60 age group (BBC News, June 2007).
Websites and points of contact
Note: The links are provided as a convenience only and should not be taken as an endorsement of any website, content, product or
service. Visits to linked websites are at your own risk.
www.ageconcernni.org:
Age Concern Northern Ireland
is a voluntary organisation concerned with improving the quality of life for all
older adults in Northern Ireland
www.childline.org.uk/NI.asp:
Childline Northern Ireland
gives support to children and young people and offers a free telephone
counselling service for those in crisis.
www.contactyouth.org:
Contact Youth work with young people in the 11-25 age range throughout Northern Ireland. They also offer a free 24/7 telephone counselling service, as part of a suicide prevention initiative.
www.heads-away-just-say.com: bereavement, relationship problems, depression, self-harm, peer pressure, bullying, school pressure, sex, alcohol, drugs and problems at home can be some of the difficulties young people and teenagers experience. This website suggests advice and help for dealing with such issues and provides contact details for many relevant organisations in Northern Ireland.
www.mentalhealthwest.com: a website aimed, in part, at members of the public who would like information on the main mental health problems, in particular depression and anxiety. The 'Find a Service' section provides details of a range of mental health related services across the Western and North West regions of Northern Ireland.
www.mindingyourhead.info:
from The Health Promotion Agency in Northern Ireland, this website contains
information relevant to young people, adults, older people and professionals.
The website has a Directory of Services relevant to Northern Ireland
www.niamh.co.uk: the
Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health provides services for those with
mental health needs, their carers, mental health professionals and other agencies.
www.niamhlouisefoundation.com: suicide prevention and support across Armagh and Tyrone
www.pipsproject.com:
PIPS stands for Public Initiative for the Prevention of Suicide and Self-Harm.
www.rays.org.uk: RAYS is a community based organisation based in North & West Belfast.
The Centre provides support services to individuals/families who are distressed,
at risk of suicide, self-harming or bereaved.
www.spescounselling.com: Spes Counselling is an 'Out of Hours', 'Rapid Response', 'Outreach' Crisis intervention service.
www.suicideawarenessandsupportgroup.com: Suicide Awareness and Support Group (West Belfast). Support and Information For People Bereaved Through Suicide.
Are you feeling suicidal but can't find the help you need on this page? Click
here
Have you been bereaved by suicide but can't find the help you need on this page? Click
here
Supporting suicide prevention in Northern Ireland