title: Suicide in Northern Ireland: An Analysis of Gender Differences in Demographic, Psychological, and Contextual Factors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The circumstances surrounding death by suicide can give us insight into the factors affecting suicide risk in particular regions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study examined gender and circumstances surrounding death by suicide in Northern Ireland from 2005 to 2011.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study analyzed 1,671 suicides (77% male and 23% female cases) using information contained from the coroner's files on suicides and undetermined deaths.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hanging was the most common method and more than one third of the deceased had prior suicide attempts. There was evidence of alcohol use in 41% of the cases. Only, 61% of cases had recorded adverse events; most had multiple and complex combinations of experiences. Relationship and interpersonal difficulties were the most common category of adverse event (40.3%). However, illness and bereavement, employment /financial crisis, and health problems were also common. One third of those who died by suicide were employed, compared with 50.3% who were not in employment. Just over half (50.1%) were known to have a mental health disorder.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results provide the first profile of deaths by suicide in Northern Ireland. They highlight the need to target people who have difficult life experiences in suicide prevention work, notably men, people with employment, financial and relationship crises, and those with mental disorders.
authors.affiliation: 1 Psychology Research Institute, Ulster University, Londonderry, UK.
authors.forename: Siobhan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: O'Neill
authors.affiliation: 2 National Suicide Research Foundation, University College Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Colette
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Corry
authors.affiliation: 1 Psychology Research Institute, Ulster University, Londonderry, UK.
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McFeeters
authors.affiliation: 1 Psychology Research Institute, Ulster University, Londonderry, UK.
authors.forename: Sam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.affiliation: 1 Psychology Research Institute, Ulster University, Londonderry, UK.
authors.forename: Brendan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bunting
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001237:Asphyxia / Q000401:mortality; D016361:Bankruptcy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001601:Bereavement; D004332:Drowning / Q000401:mortality; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000401:mortality; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005389:Firearms; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009660:Northern Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014478:Unemployment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000401:mortality; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: alcohol; gender; life events; occupation; suicide