Background:
The World Heath Organisation estimates that approximately 750,000 individuals die by suicide every year worldwide, with suicide the second highest cause of death among individuals aged 15–29 years globally. With significant societal change in Ireland over the last 20 years, it is possible that demographic and clinical factors of individuals who died by probable suicide have significantly changed over this time-period.
Aims:
To examine putative differences over a 20-year period in demographic, psycho-social and clinical characteristics of individuals who died by probable suicide in a West of Ireland region.
Hypotheses:
(1) Higher rates of probable suicide will be noted in certain population cohorts including asylum seekers, homeless people and members of the travelling community.
(2) Differences between genders in methods used in deaths by probable suicide will have reduced over a 20-year period.
Methods:
All postmortem reports conducted at University College Hospital Galway (UCHG) between January 1st, 2006 and December 31st 2025 will be reviewed to identify individuals who died by probable suicide, with potential cases reviewed in detail including toxicology data and police (Gardai) reports. For clinical characteristics and toxicology data, ratios and percentage calculations will be undertaken. For individuals previously engaged with mental health services, their clinical notes will be reviewed. Ethical approval has been obtained from the Clinical Research Ethics Committee, University Hospitals Galway (C.A. 685).
For comparisons between groups, independent Student t-test or analysis of variance for parametric data (clinical and sociodemographic data), and the chi-square or Fishers’ exact test (as appropriate) for non-parametric data will be utilised. Trends over-time will be presented graphically utilising bar or line charts.