Paul Corcoran1, Eve Griffin2, Ella Arensman3, Anthony P Fitzgerald4, Ivan J Perry4. 1. National Suicide Research Foundation and Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Western Gateway Building, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland pcorcoran@ucc.ie. 2. National Suicide Research Foundation and. 3. National Suicide Research Foundation and Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Western Gateway Building, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland. 4. Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Western Gateway Building, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The recent economic recession has been associated with short-term increases in suicide in many countries. Data are lacking on the longer-term effect on suicide and on the impact on non-fatal suicidal behaviour. METHODS: Using interrupted time series analyses, we have assessed the impact of economic recession and austerity in Ireland on national rates of suicide mortality and self-harm presentations to hospital in 2008-12. RESULTS: By the end of 2012, the male suicide rate was 57% higher [+8.7 per 100,000, 95% confidence interval (CI), 4.8 to 12.5] than if the pre-recession trend continued, whereas female suicide was almost unchanged (+0.3 per 100,000, 95% CI, -1.1 to 1.8). Male and female self-harm rates were 31% higher (+74.1 per 100,000, 95% CI, -6.3 to 154.6) and 22% higher (+63.2 per 100,000, 95% CI, 4.1 to 122.2), respectively. There were 476 more male (95% CI, 274 to 678) and 85 more female (95% CI, -9 to 180) suicide deaths and 5029 more male (95% CI, 626 to 9432) and 3833 more female (95% CI, 321 to 7345) self-harm presentations to hospital in 2008-12 than if pre-recession trends had continued. Men aged 25-64 years were affected in terms of suicide and self-harm with the greatest impact observed in 25-44 year-olds. The increase in self-harm by women was among 15-24 year-olds. CONCLUSIONS: Five years of economic recession and austerity in Ireland have had a significant negative impact on rates of suicide in men and on self-harm in both sexes.
BACKGROUND: The recent economic recession has been associated with short-term increases in suicide in many countries. Data are lacking on the longer-term effect on suicide and on the impact on non-fatal suicidal behaviour. METHODS: Using interrupted time series analyses, we have assessed the impact of economic recession and austerity in Ireland on national rates of suicide mortality and self-harm presentations to hospital in 2008-12. RESULTS: By the end of 2012, the male suicide rate was 57% higher [+8.7 per 100,000, 95% confidence interval (CI), 4.8 to 12.5] than if the pre-recession trend continued, whereas female suicide was almost unchanged (+0.3 per 100,000, 95% CI, -1.1 to 1.8). Male and female self-harm rates were 31% higher (+74.1 per 100,000, 95% CI, -6.3 to 154.6) and 22% higher (+63.2 per 100,000, 95% CI, 4.1 to 122.2), respectively. There were 476 more male (95% CI, 274 to 678) and 85 more female (95% CI, -9 to 180) suicide deaths and 5029 more male (95% CI, 626 to 9432) and 3833 more female (95% CI, 321 to 7345) self-harm presentations to hospital in 2008-12 than if pre-recession trends had continued. Men aged 25-64 years were affected in terms of suicide and self-harm with the greatest impact observed in 25-44 year-olds. The increase in self-harm by women was among 15-24 year-olds. CONCLUSIONS: Five years of economic recession and austerity in Ireland have had a significant negative impact on rates of suicide in men and on self-harm in both sexes.
Authors: Matthew J Carr; Darren M Ashcroft; Evangelos Kontopantelis; David While; Yvonne Awenat; Jayne Cooper; Carolyn Chew-Graham; Nav Kapur; Roger T Webb Journal: Ann Fam Med Date: 2017-05 Impact factor: 5.166
Authors: Sarah Steeg; Matthew J Carr; Pearl L H Mok; Carsten B Pedersen; Sussie Antonsen; Darren M Ashcroft; Nav Kapur; Annette Erlangsen; Merete Nordentoft; Roger T Webb Journal: Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol Date: 2019-10-25 Impact factor: 4.328
Authors: Rachel S Bergmans; Peter Larson; Erica Bennion; Briana Mezuk; Matthew C Wozniak; Allison L Steiner; Carina J Gronlund Journal: Environ Res Date: 2021-06-05 Impact factor: 8.431
Authors: Galit Geulayov; Navneet Kapur; Pauline Turnbull; Caroline Clements; Keith Waters; Jennifer Ness; Ellen Townsend; Keith Hawton Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2016-04-29 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Caroline Clements; Pauline Turnbull; Keith Hawton; Galit Geulayov; Keith Waters; Jennifer Ness; Ellen Townsend; Kazem Khundakar; Nav Kapur Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2016-02-16 Impact factor: 2.692