A survey has revealed that Carlow has the highest rate of suicides for men and women in the State. Suicide is the second most common cause of death among males between 15 and 24 in the county.
Since 1994 the suicide figures have risen to the point where the rate among men is 38.76 per 100,000, which represents a trebling of the figure from the 1981-85 period.
The standardised death rate for suicide in women has also shown an alarming increase in the county.
It was at an all-time high in the period 1986-90, when the figure stood at 9.5 per 100,000 population. It has since declined to a figure of 7.2.
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A study of suicide involving all eight health boards was initiated by the chief executive officers on January 1st last.