New Irish research shows that separated men and women have suicide rates that are several times higher than married people.
The National Suicide Research Foundation has carried out a study of all deaths that required an inquest in 2002, the most recent figures available.
The statistics also show evidence of suicide clusters in certain parts of Ireland.
This is the first study of the Form 104 document compiled by gardaí following a death that results in a coroner's inquest.
Suicide deaths accounted for almost 500 of the 1800 inquest deaths in 2002.
The statistics show the rate of suicide among separated people is almost six times higher than among married people.
Almost 25% of those who died by suicide were living alone.
The study found that people are more likely to die by suicide in the late Spring or early Summer, and it claims that there is a serious under-recording of suicides in the Dublin region.
The study also showed some evidence of suicide clusters, but more data will need to be analysed for several more years.
