Cluster suicides in Avondhu area

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Cluster suicides in Avondhu area

New research has revealed that 13 people from a 23.44km radius within The Avondhu area all took their own lives within a three month period

Sandra Quinn

Thursday, 14 August 2014
8:40 AM GMT



New research has revealed that 13 people from a 23.44km radius within The Avondhu area all took their own lives within a three month period and while suicide and mental health affect everyone at some point and going through something like this is challenging and difficult, this period in 2011 was particularly harrowing for local people. 
Research published by the National Suicide Research Foundation revealed that the Avondhu area around Mitchelstown and Fermoy was hit particularly hard by suicide in 2011, when there was a cluster of suicides, which represented a 6.9 fold increase on the number of expected suicides for the specified radius and time period. 
Data revealed that there were certain trends and factors all 13 cases. The report also looked at other incidences of cluster suicides across Cork, but The Avondhu will focus on the locally relevant figures. 
Some of the reported factors included a significant loss, disruption with a primary relationship, a positive or negative significant life change, legal troubles or difficulties with the Gardai, the experience of a traumatic event or the anniversary of an important death. 
The report revealed that 20% of those who took their own lives (62 people) had experienced suicidal behaviour (either fatal or non-fatal) with family members or close friends, prior to their own death.
For one in ten, the person who died had experienced the loss of a family member or friend less than three months before their own death. 
In 11 cases (17.7%), the deceased person had lost three relatives or close friends to suicide. 
“Those who are part of an at risk population and have geographical or psychosocial proximity to suicide are particularly vulnerable,” (Haw, 2013). 
“The bereaved indicated that they found the subsequent year after the first anniversary even more difficult, as the numbing effect of the shock of the death had now worn off and the full impact of the loss of the deceased and the finality of their altered circumstances was only now beginning to register,” Professor Arensman explained. 
*See inside for the final part of the Mind Yourselfie series on mental health. 

New research has revealed that 13 people from a 23.44km radius within The Avondhu area all took their own lives within a three month period, and, while suicide and mental health affect everyone at some point and going through something like this is challenging and difficult, this period in 2011 was particularly harrowing for local people. 

Research published by the National Suicide Research Foundation revealed that the Avondhu area around Mitchelstown and Fermoy was hit particularly hard by suicide in 2011, when there was a cluster of suicides, which represented a 6.9 fold increase on the number of expected suicides for the specified radius and time period. 

Data revealed that there were certain trends and factors in all 13 cases. The report also looked at other incidences of cluster suicides across Cork, but The Avondhu will focus on the locally relevant figures. 

Some of the reported factors included a significant loss, disruption with a primary relationship, a positive or negative significant life change, legal troubles or difficulties with the Gardai, the experience of a traumatic event or the anniversary of an important death. 

The report revealed that 20% of those who took their own lives (62 people) had experienced suicidal behaviour (either fatal or non-fatal) with family members or close friends, prior to their own death.

For one in ten, the person who died had experienced the loss of a family member or friend less than three months before their own death. 

In 11 cases (17.7%), the deceased person had lost three relatives or close friends to suicide. 

“Those who are part of an at risk population and have geographical or psychosocial proximity to suicide, are particularly vulnerable,” (Haw, 2013). 

“The bereaved indicated that they found the subsequent year after the first anniversary even more difficult, as the numbing effect of the shock of the death had now worn off and the full impact of the loss of the deceased and the finality of their altered circumstances was only now beginning to register,” Professor Arensman explained. 

* See this week's print & digital edition for the final part of the Mind Yourselfie series on mental health.

Cluster Suicides, Fermoy, Mental Health, Mind Yourselfie, Mitchelstown



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