VARIATION IN SUICIDE RATES BETWEEN HEALTH BOARD AREAS

This paper examines variations in suicide in the eight Health Boards o f the Republic of Ireland for the gears 1976 to 1995, It is found that while all have experienced a rise in male suicide, it has been much l ess pronounced in the Eastern Health Board which is somewhat surprisin g when one considers Dublin's much-publicised problems with homelessne ss and hard drug misuse. Since the mid-eighties, female rates have bee n somewhat higher in the southern half of the country, comprising the Southern, Mid-Western and South-Eastern Health Boards. This variation may reflect a difficulty with contacting services for psychological di stress in rural areas, either because of stigma or simple practical pr oblems associated with transport. The development of appropriate servi ces, especially in rural areas, should be at the top of the agenda of any Resource Officer to be appointed subsequent to the Final Report of the Task Force.