Fingal Mayor backs suicide report

LORD Mayor of Fingal, Councillor Kieran Dennison (FG) has backed a report that blames a national surge in suicide rates on the economic downturn.

Recent analysis conducted by the National Suicide Research Foundation (NSRF) has shown that while the number of suicides reduced nationally between 2001 and 2007 self-harm rates in both males and females and suicide rates among men have been increasing since then.

The analysis showed that in 2008, there was a significant increase in the rate of suicide and self-harm in Ireland, reversing a previous decreasing trend.

The NSRF says its analysis found that the rate of male suicide was 57 per cent higher than it would have been had the economic recession not occurred.

The rate of male and female self-harm was 37 per cent and 26 per cent higher, respectively. According to the NSRF, the statistics add up to an extra 476 male suicides during 2008-2012 than would have been expected had the recession not occurred.

There was also an increase in the number of self-harm presentations over the same period with 5,029 males and 3,833 females deliberately harming themselves.

Councillor Kieran Dennison (FG) highlighted the figures at last week’s launch of the Pieta House Darkness into Light annual fundraiser at Malahide Castle.

“The mismanagement of Ireland’s economy has had many consequences but none more so than the additional number of people who have taken their own lives,

? he said.

Councillor Dennison also reiterated the call by Pieta House for more men to participate in the annual 5k run or walk Darkness into Light fundraiser, which takes place on May 10.

“Malahide Castle will host the largest Darkness into Light run outside of Phoenix Park and Fingal County Council very much look forward to hosting the thousands who are expected again this year,

? he added.