High Suicide Rates Among Seniors in the United States
Posted by Donna Mae Scheib on July 25, 2017
High Suicide Rates Among Seniors in the United States
Suicide is a dismal topic to discuss, but remains an important subject to be aware of as it is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) 2010 statistics (Hillier & Barrow, 2015). Of these deaths, Americans aged 65 years and older make up 20 percent of all suicide deaths and only account for 13 percent of the American population.
What is Suicide?
The CDC defines suicide as “death caused by self-directed injurious behavior with an intent to die as a result of the behavior”. Suicide attempts are non-fatal attempts with the intention of ending one’s life and suicide ideation is where individuals consider suicide and make detailed plans of ending their lives. Although the younger population far outnumbers the senior population in suicide attempts, seniors become more likely to end their lives because they tend to use more lethal methods and have a stronger desire to do so than the younger population. Depression is well documented as a predictor of suicide; however, depression still fails to be recognized and treated consistently within health systems across the United States.
Comparing Suicide Differences by Demographics
The United States falls somewhere in the middle among the global statistics of suicide rates. Considering the demographic of those who commit suicides in our country helps to recognize patterns and to raise awareness:
- Elderly white men have the highest suicide rate of 29 per 100,00 overall
- Elderly white men suicide rate is 47 per 100,000 among those over the age of 85
- Suicides by women decline after the age of 60
- Overall, women have more unsuccessful attempts at suicide than men
- Suicide rates among black men and women are considered relatively low
Assessing the various demographics among the elderly population helps health care administrators consider mental health factors, detect initial feelings of hopelessness, and initiate treatment of depression.
What are Common Risk Factors of Suicide?
As with any physical or mental health issue, it may be impossible to determine one factor that becomes the ultimate risk for attempting suicide. Most likely, there are a multitude of factors that combine to create the desire to end one’s life. Be aware of these factors (listed by the CDC) in your own life as well as in family and friends and do not be afraid to ask for help or for more information from a local mental health provider.
- Family history of suicide or child maltreatment
- Any previous suicide attempts
- History of alcohol or substance abuse
- History of mental disorders
- Isolation or feelings of hopelessness
- Loss (relational, social, work, or financial)
- Barriers or unwillingness to access mental health treatment to seek help
What are Some Protective Factors for Suicide?
- Taking part in effective clinical care for any mental, physical or substance abuse disorders
- Feeling connected to family and your community with ongoing support
- Continuous medical and mental health support
- Strengthening of coping methods for problem-solving, conflict resolution, and nonviolent solutions to relational problems
- Cultural and religious beliefs that discourage suicide and support instincts for self-preservation
How Can I Help Prevent Suicide?
There is a National Suicide Prevention Lifeline that offers support 24/7 and will connect you to a local crisis center. Whether you need help yourself, are seeking help for a loved one, or are looking for best practices of suicide prevention, go to their website at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ or please call their number at 1-800-273-8255. Save this number into your phone and encourage your loved ones to do the same.
Older adults only account for a small percentage of those who take advantage of calling a self-help number. There is also an organization called the Center for Elderly Suicide Prevention & Geriatric Mental Health that offers a friendship line for older adults who need someone to talk to because they may be suffering from chronic loneliness or undiagnosed depression, but don’t necessarily see themselves in a crisis. This organization offers many other services as well and volunteers are available 24/7, 365 days a year. Their toll-free number is 1-800-971-0016.
There is a stigma around mental health that makes it hard for those suffering to reach out. Help to be a voice of encouragement for those who need it and give them positive affirmation that it is okay to seek help.
References
Definitions: Self-directed Violence. (n.d.). Retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/suicide/definitions.html
Friendship Line. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ioaging.org/services/all-inclusive-health-care/friendship-line
Hillier, S. M., & Barrow, G. M. (2015). Aging, the Individual, and Society (10th ed.). Mason, OH: Cengage Learning.
National Suicide Prevention Line. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Suicide Rates Are High Among the Elderly. (2013, August 7). Retrieved from https://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/07/high-suicide-rates-among-the-elderly/