New study examines male death by suicide

A NEW study group is looking to make contact with young men who have lost male friends through death by suicide over the last five years.
In 2007, 17 people were suspected of taking their own lives in the county, all but one of them male. Six of the males were in their 20s.
The study is being carried out by St Vincent’s University Hospital and UCD and the researchers are seeking to interview men aged between 18 and 30 who have lost male friends of a similar age.
Lorna Sweeney of UCD said that it’s a group that haven’t been studied closely before. “The majority of young men that die by suicide don’t consult their GP or a mental health practitioner so it’s important to focus on their support networks and get their perspectives.”
Suicide among the age group in question needs to be studied in more depth she feels. “This is the leading cause of death in young men. Because they often don’t get medical help, it’s really important to talk to the people who knew them best and to get their interpretation of events and how they were affected.”
Ms Sweeney said that people who have taken part to date have welcomed the chance to talk and have recognised the value of the study. Links to support organisations and counselling services will be provided if participants request them.
At an earlier stage of the programme, researchers met with around 250 family members of 104 young men who died by suicide.
Ms Sweeney said that she visits the homes of people who take part in the survey and speaks to them informally. “It’s not like a tick the box exercise, we’d be looking to hear their story about themselves and their friend in their own words.”
She said that relatively little research has been carried out in relation to suicide in Ireland, particularly among young men, and the study is an attempt to go some way towards addressing the deficit.
The number of suicides across the country had fallen in recent years, but there was a 43% increase in the first three months of 2009, leading to calls for levels of suicide research funding to be maintained, despite the recession.
* To take part in the study contact Lorna Sweeney on 01 2773353 or by e-mail at lorna.sweeney@ucd.ie. Researchers are happy to visit participants at their home or another suitable venue.