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Suicide in Northern Ireland

For many years the incidence of suicide in N.I. was considerably less than in the rest of the UK viz. in the early 1960’s the rate was 5/100,000, less than half the UK rate. However in the intervening period the NI rate has risen and now at around 14/100,000 exceeds that in the UK which has remained at 12/100,000 (this figure excludes those under 15 as recorded suicides in this age group are infrequent). In actual terms this means that the number of suicides in N.I. has increased from 80/year until now the 3 year rolling average is 200/year; there was a significant drop to around 50/year in the early 1970’s when the "troubles“ were at their height.

It should be noted that some suicide statistics include those deaths described by Coroners as “undetermined” even though there is no degree of certainty that they were suicides; the figures given in this paper for NI DO NOT include “undetermined” deaths. It has been established that in NI there are on average 20 such deaths/year and if they were included it would increase the NI suicide rate by about 10%.

The most significant aspects of these statistics are:

• RATIO Male:Female Suicides Despite the fact that the Male/Female population is about equal Female suicide has always been at a much lower level. In 1985 it was 31% of all suicides, and it is now around 20% with the M/F ratio dropping from 2.5:1 to 4:1 

• UNDER 25 AGE GROUP While much attention has been given to suicides of young people it is important to note that despite the overall rise of suicide in NI those in the under 25 age group has continued at around 20%. However there should be no complacency for each of these deaths is not only a family tragedy, but also a loss to all our community because the potential of each of these young lives will not be 
  fulfilled. 
  While the population split in the under 25’s is 50/50, and because there are many fewer Female suicides (generally less than 5/year) it means that the M/F ratio in recent years has risen to as much as 8:1 which further underlines the need to recognise the risk for younger men.

• RISK RELATIVE TO AGE 

  • Female: 35% of suicides are in the 25 - 34 age group yet this is only 19% of the Female population (excluding the under 15-age range). It is also significant that 25% of the suicides are in the 55+ age group.

  • Male: 60% of suicides are in the 25 - 54 age group, 20% are under 25 and 20% are 55+ age group. 

• CHOSEN METHOD Over the years there has been a clearly identifiable pattern and distinction of the methods chosen by Males and Females who take their own life, however in recent years this has changed in that there is an increased incidence of more violent Female deaths. 

  • Male: Hanging, Drug Overdose. Recent figures show that 70% of male suicides are by hanging and while they occur right across the age range there are often 1 or 2 under 15 and over 74+

  • Female: Hanging, Drug Overdose. Recent figures show that around 50% take their own life by hanging, mostly those in the middle years, though some can be under 25 or 65+. 

  In the case of Drug overdoses for both Male & Female it is mostly by the use of Prescribed medication, though there are occasions when Class A drugs have been used – this is a worrying trend bearing in mind the increasing availability of such drugs in our community. 

• RURAL COMMUNITY While it is true that suicide was not unknown in the rural setting it has been noted that since 1998 suicide in the farming communities has continued to be at a high level with as many as 10 each year.

• SEASONAL SUICIDE It is only over the past few years that there has been a ‘Spring peak’ in NI something which is a norm in most communities. There are other ‘peak’ periods in NI, the Summer months and the Christmas/New Year period.

• DSH (DELIBERATE SELF HARM) / ATTEMPTED SUICIDE) While there are no definitive figures it is recognised that this is a serious problem and it is estimated to be 16/day in N.I. of which 55 % are Female with the use of medication, prescribed and bought over the counter, a predominant feature. Information becoming available indicates that Male DSH/Attempted Suicide is increasing.

ROLE OF SAMARITANS

Suicide is everybody’s business, but more than most it is the business of Samaritans who since 1961 in Northern Ireland  have been providing a 24 hour service offering emotional support to those who see suicide as the only solution to an unbearable life and are often posing the question ‘ who cares if I live or die’. Contact can be by telephone, face-to-face, letter or e-mail. The aim of Samaritans is to be available for people before they get to the point where suicide is the only option.

We encourage people to come to a realisation that it is far better to talk about difficult feelings than to leave them bottled up - Samaritans are receptive, not directive. The caller to Samaritans is never deprived of the freedom of self -determination.

In a Confidential environment Samaritans enable people to express their darkest thoughts and try to help them find ways of coming to terms with what is troubling them. Samaritans befriend those in despair and support them through periods of crisis. The service offered is positive and life-affirming but Samaritans are in no doubt they work in an area where choices are being made between life and death, in situations where other human beings are deciding whether or not life is worth living.

The statistical information in this paper is based on source material provided by the Register General’s Office. If you would like more information about the work of Samaritans contact your local Branch – details are in the in the phone book.

Should you wish to share your concerns with us we can be contacted by phone, either your local Branch or at 0845 909090, you can visit a local Branch or email us jo@samaritans.org. If you prefer, you can also write to us

This information was prepared by Samaritans Belfast Branch, 5 Wellesley Avenue, Belfast BT9 6DG.
Issue 9 - Updated October 2008.