TY - JOUR PY - 2009// TI - Irish coroners' attitudes towards suicide and its prevention JO - Irish journal of medical science A1 - Farrow, R. A1 - Arensman, Ella A1 - Corcoran, Paul A1 - Williamson, Esther A1 - Perry, Ivan J. SP - 61 EP - 67 VL - 178 IS - 1 N2 - BACKGROUND: Coroners routinely enquire into suicide deaths and communicate with people bereaved by suicide. However, no research has been conducted into coroners' attitudes towards suicide and its prevention. AIMS: We assessed attitudes towards suicide among Irish coroners in order to determine their understanding of suicide and its prevention. METHODS: An internationally validated questionnaire assessing attitudes towards suicide was sent to all coroners in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. RESULTS: Sixty completed questionnaires (response 62%) were analysed. Overall, the coroners' responses reflected openness towards communication about suicide and suicide prevention initiatives. Approximately, one in five favoured the attitudes that suicide is a right or that it may be a justifiable resolution. Only 23% agreed that people who die by suicide are usually mentally ill. CONCLUSIONS: Irish coroners favour communication about suicide and have a positive attitude towards its prevention but they appear to underestimate the prevalence of mental illness.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 0021-1265 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11845-008-0261-9 ID - ref1 ER -