Firearms are the most common means of completing suicide among the elderly. Men (77%) use firearms more than twice as often as women (35%). Alcohol or substance abuse play a diminishing role in later life suicides. Contrary to popular opinion, only a fraction (2-4%) of suicide victims have been diagnosed with a terminal illness at the time of their death. Two-thirds of older adults in their late 60's, 70's and 80's were in relatively good physical health when they died by suicide. 20% of elderly suicides over 75 have been seen by a physician within 24 hours of completing suicide; 35% have been seen by a physician within a week; 75% have seen a primary care physician within a month of their suicide; and 80% have seen a primary care physician within 6 months of their suicide. 66-90% of elderly suicides have at least one psychiatric diagnosis. Two-thirds of these diagnoses are for late-onset, single episode clinical depression. As many as 75% of depressed older Americans are not receiving the treatment they need, placing them at an increased risk of suicide. Elderly persons are less likely to reach out by calling a crisis line than their younger counterparts. Suicide rates are highest in the mountain states of the United States for the nation as a whole and the elderly. Myths Depression among the elderly is a normal consequence of aging and associated problems. Depression among the elderly cannot be treated. Most completed suicides are terminally ill. Elders who complete suicide do not have close family members. Only elderly persons who live alone are at risk for suicide. Suicide and suicidal behavior are normal responses to stresses experienced by most people. There is nothing that can be done to stop an elderly suicide. Most suicidal elders wilt self-refer to obtain mental health care. Suicidal elderly do not exhibit warning signs of their suicidal ideation or intent. Adverse living conditions are not significant risk factors in elderly suicide. The content of this fact sheet was taken from material by the American Assocation of Suicidology ADVOCACY HANDBOOK Help from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention offers educational and training tools to support advocacy efforts to change the way people think and talk about suicide and mental illness, and to participate in the process of shaping helpful laws and policies. They offer the following tools to suicide prevention advocates:
Firearms are the most common means of completing suicide among the elderly. Men (77%) use firearms more than twice as often as women (35%). Alcohol or substance abuse play a diminishing role in later life suicides. Contrary to popular opinion, only a fraction (2-4%) of suicide victims have been diagnosed with a terminal illness at the time of their death. Two-thirds of older adults in their late 60's, 70's and 80's were in relatively good physical health when they died by suicide. 20% of elderly suicides over 75 have been seen by a physician within 24 hours of completing suicide; 35% have been seen by a physician within a week; 75% have seen a primary care physician within a month of their suicide; and 80% have seen a primary care physician within 6 months of their suicide. 66-90% of elderly suicides have at least one psychiatric diagnosis. Two-thirds of these diagnoses are for late-onset, single episode clinical depression. As many as 75% of depressed older Americans are not receiving the treatment they need, placing them at an increased risk of suicide. Elderly persons are less likely to reach out by calling a crisis line than their younger counterparts. Suicide rates are highest in the mountain states of the United States for the nation as a whole and the elderly. Myths Depression among the elderly is a normal consequence of aging and associated problems. Depression among the elderly cannot be treated. Most completed suicides are terminally ill. Elders who complete suicide do not have close family members. Only elderly persons who live alone are at risk for suicide. Suicide and suicidal behavior are normal responses to stresses experienced by most people. There is nothing that can be done to stop an elderly suicide. Most suicidal elders wilt self-refer to obtain mental health care. Suicidal elderly do not exhibit warning signs of their suicidal ideation or intent. Adverse living conditions are not significant risk factors in elderly suicide. The content of this fact sheet was taken from material by the American Assocation of Suicidology ADVOCACY HANDBOOK Help from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention offers educational and training tools to support advocacy efforts to change the way people think and talk about suicide and mental illness, and to participate in the process of shaping helpful laws and policies. They offer the following tools to suicide prevention advocates: