17 suicides were recorded in Co. Clare last year.
The figure has increased marginally on the previous year, and shows that the number of suicides in Clare has remained steady in spite of the increased focus on mental health.
Last year’s figure of 17 for the number of recorded suicides is an annual increase of one.
In fact, in each year since 2012, the number of suicides here has remained constant at between 14 and 18 – in that time, 97 people in Clare have died by suicide.
These figures also show, once more, that the majority of suicides here – 14 last year – were of males, and that the rate of male suicide in the county, and suicide generally, remains significantly higher than the national average.
The grim statistics, and lack of a reduction in this figure, comes in spite of the increased focus on mental health and suicide prevention in this county by a range of State and voluntary groups.
Nationally, there has been a downward trend in suicides since 2015, and that continued last year, although Samaritans ireland says more needs to be done.
