This article is from page 5 of the 2006-10-10 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 5 JPG
THE suicide rate among women in Clare is almost 27 per cent higher than the national average, while male suicides are 8.4 per cent less.
However, according to the first annual report of the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) published this week, men in Clare are three times more likely to commit suicide than women.
Clare Psychiatrist Dr Moosajee Bhamjee told The Clare People that the majority of these men were young, a very different picture to two decades ago.
“Twenty years ago, it was older males that were committing suicide. Now it seems to have changed. The pattern suggests that females attempt suicide or self-harm and do it by softer means. Men are more drastic or severe.”
The figures support the outspoken psychiatrist’s analysis. According to the NOSP report, an average of 12.4 people take their own lives in this county every year. The earliest figures from the Central Statistics Office show that just two people of Clare residence died by their own hand in 1980. In 1985, this number had multiplied by more than five, bringing the total number of deaths to 11. In 2005, 15 people died from suicide in Clare.
Dr Bhamjee has attributed the rise in these tragic deaths to a number of social and community issues. He said that younger people are more likely to commit suicide at the weekends as alcohol and drugs reduce inhibitions.
He pointed to excessive alcohol, community and family changes, stress, bullying in the workplace and depression as some of the reasons behind the increase. He said that death by suicide also increased in spring and autumn as the change of seasons were internationally linked with depression.
“We need more counsellors and easy access to the counsellors. We need more psychologists if we are to provide a speedier service,” he said.
He said people should also go for help earlier.
“If the person has a social problem and it is solved or if the depression is treated, they don’t make another attempt.”