The Irish Times Monday, August 9, 1999
Insecure childhood most common factor in suicides
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ --
With more people dying as a result of suicide than in road traffic accidents, the Dublin County Coroner says a broken family background is often a common feature. Kitty Holland reports
The most common factor in suicides is the breakdown of the marriage or relationship of the victim's parents during their childhood, the Dublin County Coroner, Dr Bartley Sheehan, has said.
Dr Sheehan says the pattern of "disturbed security arrangements at the most tender years" in those who committed suicide held for all socio-economic groups, ages, religions and whether they were male or female.
There were 66 recorded suicides in Dublin county last year, the highest figure in the State. "I feel frustrated from time to time at society's apparent reluctance to recognise the hazards for children of marital breakdown, strife between parents and an insecure early-life experience.
"I strongly believe that the moment a child is conceived, the parents' rights go down the tubes. The child must come first. A sense of security is essential for a child to grow up with a secure sense of them self, their place in the world and a strong sense of self-esteem."
If these were undermined, different forms of self-destructive behaviour may follow in later life, such as alcohol or drug abuse, irresponsible sexual behaviour or, in the most extreme cases, suicide.
He says while much attention was given to road deaths, suicide and its causes were not as consistently "in the public mind".
Last year, for the first time, more people died prematurely as a result of suicide than road traffic accidents. While 462 people were killed on the roads, 504 people took their lives. Suicide is now the main cause of death among males in the 15 to 24 age group.
Young males are considered to be a greater suicide risk than females but the figures for young women are rising.
According to Mr Paul Corcoran, researcher with the National Suicide Research Foundation, the Republic has tended to follow the Scandinavian model and its increase in young male suicide. "They saw an increase for young females later. The indications here are that young female figures are going up and I feel they are going to increase more rapidly."
Five years ago, there were approximately two to three female suicides per 100,000 population. There are now are five to six female suicides per 100,000.
This may be due to the changing role of women, their greater participation in the workforce, increased removal from the family and possibly increased aggression, says Mr Corcoran.
The primary cause of suicide, according to Dr Patrick McKeon, chairman of Aware, is depression. He disagrees with Dr Sheehan's assertion that family problems can predispose the young person towards self-destructive behaviour.
"The impact of a disturbed childhood is not as great as the genetic load," he says. It is vital that people are told that treatment for depression is available and that there should be no stigma attached to seeking help for "what is, after all, an illness".
However, Mr Corcoran says rising suicide figures cannot be explained by depression alone. "There is no evidence that more people are clinically depressed than there were two decades ago."
The suicidal, who make up about 25 per cent of callers to the Samaritans helpline, face a "whole range of issues", says Mr Joe Gallagher, director of the Dublin Samaritans. "The calls are about broken relationships, sexual abuse, financial worries, sexual orientation and loneliness." Mr Corcoran says such issues, in the modern context of a rapidly changing society, with increased urbanisation and individualisation, may be exacerbated by a sense of isolation leading to loneliness and despair.
Like others, he also cites the fact that suicide is no longer regarded as a mortal sin by the Catholic Church. This probably deterred many from suicide.
The decline of Mass attendance is often seen as contributing to rising suicide rates. However, while Mass attendance is higher in rural areas, so are suicide rates.
The provinces where Mass attendance is highest - Munster and Connacht, where 26 per cent say they attend Mass regularly - suicide rates have doubled since 1976.
At the moment there is no register of people who have attempted suicide, though one may be established as a means of monitoring them. Approximately 1 per cent of those who attempt suicide go on to take their lives.
Suicide, says Dr McKeon, is "probably the most difficult loss for a family to cope with". Dr Sheehan describes it as "by a long shot the most distressing cause of death I deal with".
Mr Corcoran stresses the importance of teaching young people coping skills and encouraging them to express their concerns.