2020 recorded the largest number of female deaths due to suicide in a five-year period between 2018 and 2022, according to figures from the Central Statistics Office.
The CSO data shows 142 women died by suicide in 2020.
Overall, the five-year average of suicides between 2018 and 2022 in Ireland was 526.
As a share of all deaths, deaths due to suicide stood at 1.6% nationally in this period.
Cavan was the local authority where this share was highest, where 2.3% of all deaths in Cavan were due to suicide. Kilkenny was lowest, with 0.6% of all deaths due to suicide.
In 2022, 500 people died by suicide, which was 49 fewer people than in 2018.
The highest number occurred among people aged between 40 and 44 years, 63 deaths, in 2022.
Over one in every ten deaths, 14.6%, due to suicide that year were aged 65 years and older, which was an increase from 12.5% in 2021.
Males aged between 40 to 44 years accounted for 8.8% of all deaths due to suicide in 2022, the highest proportion by cohort.
111 female deaths occurred due to suicide that year, with those aged 40 to 44 years accounting for the highest share (17.1% or 19 deaths).
The CSO has noted that deaths attributable to external causes are referred to the coroner, which means a lag can occur as to when these deaths are registered with the General Register Office (GRO).
In some cases, they can be registered much later than the 22-month deadline to produce the CSO's Vital Statistics Annual Reports.
If you or someone you know has been impacted by this story, support is available.
Contact Samaritans on Freephone 116 123, Text HELLO to 50808, or contact Pieta – anytime day or night.
You can also visit www.yourmentalhealth.ie for information on how to mind your mental health, support others, or find a support service in your area.
