Statistics show one suicide every fortnight in Galway

There was one suicide recorded in Galway every fortnight last year, according to new figures that prove the problem persists.

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) Vital Statistics yearly summary for 2014 also shows that suicide in men in particular is a huge problem in the city and county.

The official figures suggest that there were 26 suicides recorded in Galway last year. That includes 18 in the county and eight in the city.

The CSO figures showed there were 28 suicides in Galway in 2013 and 2012, there were 37 in 2011 and 27 in 2010, meaning there were 146 suicides in the past five years.

All 18 of the suicides in the county in 2014 were men; and five of the eight suicides in the city were men. Almost 90% of the suicides recorded in Galway last year were male; three of the Galway suicides were woman. Galway had the highest number of suicides in Connacht, where some 64 suicides were recorded of which 54 were male.

The suicide rate, calculated as deaths per 100,000, is showing an upward trend in the city, from 7.7 in 2009, to 8.3 in 2013 and 11.1 in 2014. In the county the trend of the suicide rate is downwards, from 12.9 in 2009, to 12.5 in 2013 and 10.2 in 2014. Both are slightly above the national suicide rate of 10 per 100,000 deaths; the suicide rate in Connacht is 11.8.

The CSO figures show that suicide is a predominantly male problem in Galway and right across the country. In Mayo, for example, some 14 of the 18 suicides last year were men; in Roscommon, nine out of the 10 recorded suicides were men; and in Leitrim all three suicides recorded were male. A total of 459 suicides were officially recorded in Ireland last year; of these, 368 were male and 91 female.

Tuam-based Fianna Fáil spokesperson on mental health, Colm Keaveney, said suicide and self-harm is an epidemic in Galway and the country.

The Galway East TD said the problem is far worse than the official figures suggest; and the prevalence of suicide among men is related to the economy, and unemployment.

“The problem of suicide and self-harm is going to be a serious stain on our society when we look back in years to come. Our failure to react and reform to deal with this epidemic is shameful,” he said.

He said there are a wide range of complex factors in male suicides but unemployment, pride, stigma and a fear of reaching out and asking for help are all in the mix.

Male suicides are a huge problem but he said self-harm and other mental health issues such as eating disorders are prevalent among women.

Deputy Keaveney said community and voluntary organisations such as men’s sheds and GAA are all positive outlets for men but more needs to be done.

“There’s something seriously wrong with our mental health service in Galway when they are given a budget of €60 million for the year and 10% of it is returned. We have 3,000 children nationally on waiting lists for their first appointment with CAMHS (Child and Adult Mental Health Service), and 600 of them are waiting over 12 months. That’s a crisis,” he added.