A strategy to combat the rise in suicide rates among young people should be a public health priority in both parts of Ireland, a report released yesterday said.
The call, by the Institute of Public Health in Ireland and the Health Development Agency, follows their joint assessment of research into suicide and self-harm among those aged 15-24.
Suicide accounts for one third of all deaths throughout Ireland in this age group. Rates are on the rise and the causes have not been established.
Dr Philip Crowley, one of the report's authors, said in Belfast yesterday: "Youth suicide is a marker of extreme distress. It's increasing both North and South and it's an issue that we have to deal with."
He said numerous studies have examined the risk factors including family conflict, individual impulsiveness or aggression, substance misuse, mental illness and social inequality. But more research is needed, the report says, so that a more joined-up strategy to deal with the problem could be adopted.
Referring to so-called copycat suicides, Dr Crowley said: "One doesn't want to exaggerate that. But I think there have been instances both North and South where there has been a suggestion that one person's action in committing suicide has influenced others to follow suit.
"That being the case there is an onus on the media to report suicide responsibly and carefully and there is a need for us all to work with people around someone who has committed suicide." He said the peers of suicide victims needed special support.
Wide-ranging research involving large youth samples is needed to help define the factors that could lower suicide rates, he said.
"We should look at some of these promising interventions like promoting family cohesion, like working with primary care to identify people who are at risk, like promoting self-esteem among young people," Dr Crowley said.
"We need to research it, evaluate it comprehensively. We can all learn from these interventions so that investment has a benefit for wider society."
Asked what advice he had for the health ministers from the North and the Republic, Dr Crowley said: "I'd ask them to take the issue of youth suicide seriously and to ensure that they are working on strategies that are based on evidence that is available. I'd also want them to base their strategies not just on scientific research but also on the analysis of people who are working with young people in the front-line in youth clubs who are working to promote the mental health of young people."
Most important of all was the need to have a mechanism whereby health professionals could listen to young people. "In that way we may be able to work out a clearer picture as to why young people are feeling more desperate and inclined to commit suicide."