One out of every 100 youngsters attempts suicide
Saturday October 15 2005
The research among 12 to 15-year-olds attending eight schools in North county Dublin found one in five were at risk of behavioural or mental health disorders.
Two in every 100 had thought about suicide and 1.5pc had a history of attempted suicide.
The study, in the Journal Of Adolescence, found that 15pc had a psychiatric disorder. This included 4.5pc with depression or mood disorders.
Nearly 4pc had anxiety disorders; a similar figure suffered from Attention Deficit Disorder.
The research was carried out by a team from the Department of Child and Family Psychiatry at Dublin's Mater Hospital and the Department of Psychiatry at UCD.
One of the study authors, Prof Carol Fitzpatrick, said there was clearly an issue with recognising mental health problems in adolescents who are not getting the help they need.
As a result of the north Dublin study, 23 young people were referred on for mental health support who otherwise would not have received this.
- Clodagh Sheehy
