CSO Suicide Mortality Statistics Liaison Group Meeting
Via Zoom
Wednesday July 10th, 2024, at 2pm
Action Points
Present: Tim Linehan, Prof Philip Dodd, Dr Paul Corcoran, Niall McTernan, Prof Ella Arensman, Barry Kestell, Sean O’Connor, Suzi Lyons, Alice Wainwright, Laura Galligan, John Heslin, Dr Cróna Gallagher, Aisling O’Reilly, John O’Connor
Apologies: Dr Mary Flanagan, Jackie Hickey, Declan Costello
Action Points: Niall McTernan
Welcome/Introductions
- Tim and Niall welcomed group members to the 3rd meeting of 2024.
Action points and matters arising from the meeting held on April 10th, 2024
- Tim reviewed the minutes and action points from the previous group meeting held on April 10th, 2024.
- Tim provided an update on a meeting between the CSO and the Department of Health in relation to potential areas of interest/integration of data. Areas explored:
- Deprivation and ethnicity
- Late registered deaths
- Philip added that the Mental Health Unit at the Department of Health would like to explore further opportunities for data linkage to optimise public health responses including with the National Self-Harm Registry Ireland and the National Drug-Related Deaths Index.
- Ella suggested it may be beneficial to focus on highly lethal self-harm, males and middle-aged women.
- No update on updated late registered deaths with Eurostat.
- Feedback in relation Eurostat Survey Module proposed items received.
- Philip updated the group on the outcomes of a meeting between HSE health leads, the NSRF and the Department of Health in relation to maternal suicide deaths.
- Suzi indicated that the HRB liaise with Coroners in relation to maternal deaths, and it would be of interest to establish if maternal suicide deaths occur in early or late partum.
- Ella suggested that this is an under researched area in Ireland with significant potential for data linkage. It is a potential area for a HRB Grant Partnership application.
- Paul outlined the potential benefits of CSO linkage work if permitted access to data from the National Maternal Death Enquiry.
- Allow access to more detail etc
- Laura to enquire if Garda Information Services Centre (GISC) call takers record any data on pregnancy or one-year post-partum.
- Crona suggested that there is capacity for this to be included in the C71 form and additional detail would be welcome.
- Tim informed the group that a pilot study of the census data is ongoing. Tim to provide further updates following the completion of pilot.
Action points:
- Explore further opportunities for data linkage with CSO data e.g. the National Self-Harm Registry Ireland and National Drug-Related Deaths Index.
- Laura to enquire if GISC call takers record any data on pregnancy or one-year post-partum.
National Probable Suicide Monitoring System (NPSMS)
- Philip provided an update the National Probable Suicide Monitoring System and highlighted how it has been an excellent example of collaboration.
- Suzi indicated that it is an extension of the HRB’s work on the Drug related deaths index and they are hoping to start data collection for 2023 in Q3.
- Ella suggested the inclusion of a data item on ethnicity, for example, migrants, refugees and travellers.
- Crona indicated country of origin may be on file but not on the coroner’s certificate. Ethnic groups may or may not be clear.
- Tim suggested it may be possible to link census data at a later stage.
Vital Statistics Yearly Summary for 2023
- Tim and Sean provided an update on the CSO Vital Statistics Yearly Summary for 2023.
- Sean indicated that the CSO are hoping to provide three-year rates by LHO area going forward.
- Tim indicated that the CSO are working on rolling as opposed to fixed tables with the inclusion of county and stated that late registered deaths are gaining in significance.
- Tim invited feedback on the 2023 release particularly around messaging and sensitivities.
- John queried the recent amendment to the coroners act and the appointment of new coroners. Alice to seek update on Coroner reform.
- Ella suggested linking release to International Association for Suicide Prevention World Suicide Prevention Day message.
Action points:
- CSO to share yearly release for group feedback
- Alice to seek update on Coroner reform.
NSRF Suicide Observatory
- Ella indicated that a team at the University of Melbourne had been successful with a tender to conduct an independent evaluation and verify feasibility of the Suicide and Self-Harm Observatory in Cork and Kerry – first consultation meeting is on July 12th.
- Tim suggested there is potential for linkage work with the Suicide Observatory.
- Philip alluded to the need to avoid cross over on real time and coronial linked systems. Potential for optimisation as opposed to duplication of work.
AOB
- Tim made reference to the availability of micro data files for researchers.
Date and venue for next meeting: October 23rd, 2024, at 2pm, via Microsoft teams.
