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Suicide rates 'not down to area' Suicide rates 'not down to area'
(about 1 hour later)
Individual circumstances are the key to understanding why someone takes their own life, a study has found. Individual circumstances are the key to understanding why someone takes their own life, a study has indicated.
Queen's University researchers said differences in rates of suicide were due to people's characteristics, not differences between location.Queen's University researchers said differences in rates of suicide were due to people's characteristics, not differences between location.
Once individual characteristics were taken into account, "higher rates of suicide found in more deprived and socially fragmented areas disappeared".Once individual characteristics were taken into account, "higher rates of suicide found in more deprived and socially fragmented areas disappeared".
The findings are published in the British Journal of Psychiatry.The findings are published in the British Journal of Psychiatry.
The researchers believe it could mean a shift of emphasis in policy for those working in the field.The researchers believe it could mean a shift of emphasis in policy for those working in the field.
Dr Dermot O'Reilly, who led the research, said it confirmed suicide risk was very strongly related to both individual and household characteristics such as age, gender, marital status and socio-economic circumstances.Dr Dermot O'Reilly, who led the research, said it confirmed suicide risk was very strongly related to both individual and household characteristics such as age, gender, marital status and socio-economic circumstances.
"What has been less clear is whether the characteristics of the area in which you live represent an additional independent risk," he said."What has been less clear is whether the characteristics of the area in which you live represent an additional independent risk," he said.
"The study shows that variation in suicide rates between areas in Northern Ireland is entirely explained by the differences in the characteristics of the people living in these areas."The study shows that variation in suicide rates between areas in Northern Ireland is entirely explained by the differences in the characteristics of the people living in these areas.
"Where you live doesn't add to that risk.""Where you live doesn't add to that risk."