Variation in suicide rates between Health Board areas

Kelleher, Michael J.; Corcoran, Paul; Keeley, Helen S.

Variation in suicide rates between Health Board areas

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Variation_in_suicide_rates_between_Health_Board_areas.pdf(8.45 KB)

Published Version

Date

1998-04

Authors

Kelleher, Michael J.

Corcoran, Paul

Keeley, Helen S.

Publisher

Irish Medical Organisation

Abstract

This paper examines variations in suicide in the eight Health Boards of the Republic of Ireland for the years 1976 to 1995. It is found that while all have experienced a rise in male suicide, it has been much less pronounced in the Eastern Health Board which is somewhat surprising when one considers Dublin’s much-publicised problems with homelessness and hard drug misuse. Since the mid-eighties, female rates have been somewhat higher in the southern half of the country, comprising the Southern, Mid-Western and South-Eastern Health Boards. This variation may reflect a difficulty with contacting services for psychological distress in rural areas, either because of stigma or simple practical problems associated with transport. The development of appropriate services, especially in rural areas, should be at the top of the agenda of any Resource Officer to be appointed subsequent to the Final Report of the Task Force.

Keywords

Suicide , Ireland , Rural health services , Catchment area , Rural population , Task Force on Suicide

Citation

Kelleher, M. J.,Corcoran, P. and Keeley, H. S. (1998) 'Variation in suicide rates between Health Board areas', Irish Medical Journal, 91(2), pp. 53-56.