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Education > Our Community Education Services
Suicide Risk and Prevention: Seniors
Suicide is a serious problem among our senior community – especially for those over the age of
65. Depression, a major risk factor in suicide, is more common among seniors, and is
misunderstood as a natural part of the aging process. Depression at this age is not normal, but
seniors do not typically seek out mental health treatment.
Is this a large problem?
Consider these facts:
- Seniors have a disproportionately high rate of suicide-13.5 suicides per 100,000 people.
Compare this to the overall rate of 11 per 100,000 people in the United States.
- Suicide attempts by seniors are often more often lethal than attempts by youth.
- In the senior population, the highest suicide rates are among those who are widowed or
divorced.
What Do We Know About These Seniors?
- 20% of older adults who die by suicide saw their primary care physician on the day of
their suicide, 40% during the same week and 70% within the same month.
- Late onset depression is the most common medical condition among seniors who commit
suicide.
- More seniors committed suicide by using a gun than any other method.
- Increasing numbers of seniors are now raising their grandchildren, a significant risk factor
for depression.
What increases the likelihood that a senior will commit suicide?
- Depression (usually late onset)
- Loss of a spouse or companion
- Social isolation
- Age - suicide rates increase with age and peak over age 85, especially among white men
- Chronic pain or debilitating illness, diminished function
- Easy access to lethal methods – especially guns
- Abuse of alcohol and prescription drugs
- Rigidity of personality
What decreases the likelihood that a senior will commit suicide?
- Effective screening, especially in the primary care physician’s office
- Recognition of depression and subsequent treatment
- Easy access to effective treatments and support
- Strong family and community support
- Cultural and religious beliefs that discourage suicide and support self-preservation
- Restricted access to highly lethal means of suicide
How can we help prevent suicide among seniors?
- Effective screening by those who regularly see seniors–especially their primary care
physicians
- Referral to appropriate, easily available mental health treatment
- Outreach to seniors who are not seeing physicians due to avoidance or hardship
- Change attitudes about aging and depression; educate professionals, caregivers and
families about healthy aging and the signs and risks of depression
- Limit access to lethal agents including weapons
(These data found in The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent Suicide, Saving Lives in NYS Volume II: Approached &
Special Populations, MHA Grant, Saving Lives in NY: Suicide Prevention & Public Health)
Where Can I Find More Information?
For information on this web site, go to our Suicide in Children/Adolescents and Suicide in Adults pages
for warning signs, who is at risk and advice on what to do to help.
Centers for Disease Control
http://www.cdc.gov
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is one of the 13 major operating components of
the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which is the principal agency in the United States
government for protecting the health and safety of all Americans and for providing essential human
services, especially for those people who are least able to help themselves
US Department of Health and Human Services
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calltoaction/default.htm
“The Surgeon General's Call To Action To Prevent Suicide” presented in 1999, outlines more than a
dozen steps that can be taken by individuals, communities, organizations, and policymakers.
Suicide Prevention Resource Center
http://www.sprc.org
Information about effective programs that can be used in schools, doctors’ offices, hospitals, and other places that
affect youth can be found on the web sites of the Suicide Prevention Resource Center.
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