Tipperary has the highest number of deaths by suicide in the region

Tipperary had the highest number of deaths by suicide in the western health region between 2019 and 2022.

That is according to provisional figures released during the last sitting of the Regional Health Forum West.

Eighty-three people in Tipperary took their own lives between 2019 and 2022. Sligo councillor Donal Gilroy requested the figures by county or Community Health Organisation (CHO).

The figures were provided by the HSE but they said that they do not collate suicide figures, the Central Staistics Office do. In 2019, 22 people died by suicide in Tipperary. That figure rose to 25 in 2020 and 2021. But reduced to 11 in 2022.

According to the CSO almost 70% of those who died by suicide in Tipperary were male.

It should be noted that 2020-2022 are preliminary.

According to both Samaritans and the National Suicide Research Foundation, death by suicide must be determined by a corner.

Statistics can be delayed up to two years while post-mortem examination, inquests and reports are carried out.

Statistics can be revised multiple times. Statistics from 2019 are confirmed but 2020, 2021 and 2022 are all preliminary. There are no figures yet for 2023.

COMPARISON

Between 2019 and 2022, Galway county had the second highest figure at 77 followed by Clare (58) Mayo (51) and Limerick county (48).

The lowest number was in Galway City at 25, followed by Roscommon at 31 and Limerick City at 41. Limerick city had just seven less than the city. Tipperary had the highest number of people who died by suicide in each year accept in 2021 when the county tied with Galway City.

According to a report by the Irish Times last November, suicide was the most common cause of death in people aged 15 and 23 years.

SELF HARM

Last month, the National Suicide Research Foundation posted on social media an analysis of the national self-harm statistics.

It should be noted that a person who engages in self-harm is not necessarily attempting to end their life.

Self-harm is a behaviour aimed at coping, and people who harm themselves are attempting to deal with extremely distressing feelings. In 2021, one in every 510 people engaged in self-harm behaviour.

Women were more likely, with one in every 113 15-19 year olds self-harming. In January and December, presentations to healthcare settings were down 17% and 10% respectively.

This coincides with Covid-19 restrictions. Of those who did present, 67% received treatment, 80% received a follow-up after discharge, and 12% left A&E before they were given a recommendation.

These are national figures and are taken from those who present following an incident of self-harm. Therefore, they may not represent the scale of the issue countrywide.