A major new study has highlighted an increased risk of suicide among males in their late teens and serious deficits in State services dealing with suicide and suicide risk.

The study, Suicide in Ireland 2003-2008, by Prof Kevin Malone of UCD, found that there was a fourfold increased risk of suicide in males between the ages of 16 and 20.

Young people in Ireland also have the fourth highest suicide rate in Europe, according to the study.

The study also shows that a child under 18 dies through suicide every 18 days in Ireland and that our real suicide rate, at over 700 per year, is higher than official figures have indicated.

Of the 104 suicide cases in the study, 48 of those who took their lives had had a diagnosis of major depression, and 11 had a diagnosis of psychosis.

Fifty-one of the 104 had abused alcohol within the previous 12 months, and 26 had a history of non-alcohol substance abuse in the previous 12 months. Thirty-four of those who took their lives had previously attempted suicide.

In the majority of cases, death was caused by hanging.

Prof Malone's study interviewed 104 families affected by the suicide of a loved one.

Over 70% of respondents thought 'more could have been done' surrounding the suicide death of their loved one.

Two thirds of those with exposure to health services before the suicide death rated these services as negative or very negative. Sixteen per cent rated statutory post-suicide services as negative or very negative.

The study says there should be greater awareness of the psychological impact of violence and muggings on teens, (which were found to be a factor in some suicides) including 'toxic humiliation', and the development and evaluation of effective psychological interventions.

The study found that suicide prevention services are under-resourced.

The study was funded by the charity 3Ts.