Older Adults and Suicide: What You Can Do to Help

Source: Age Without Limits/Centre for Ageing Better

Older adults who are disconnected from others and experience a sense of social isolation have a greater risk for suicide. And, so do older adults with medical illness and physical pain. And then there's the shocking statistic that White men over 75 have the highest rate of suicide in the country, more than any other age group.

This is why it is essential that you have the tools necessary to help older adults who are at risk for suicide.

Here are six steps to preventing suicide in older adults:

1. Know the risk factors.

These risk factors were identified by research as being the most significant for increasing the risk of suicide in older adults.

• Mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, alcohol and other substance use disorders, new diagnosis of a dementia disorder.
• Being alone for long periods of time and having a sense of isolation.
• Physical illness
• Pain
• Loss of ability (decline in a person's ability to care for themselves)

2. Keep an eye out for these warning signs:

• Withdrawal from friends and previously enjoyable activities like hobbies, sports, and physical intimacy
• Feelings of loss of sense of purpose and independence
• Preparing for death by making a will or other final arrangements, including giving away prized possessions
• Preoccupation with death and dying
• Recent life changes, such as the death or chronic illness of a spouse, moving to a new home.

3. Talk with older adults about what you’ve been noticing in a compassionate and concerned way.

Does the topic of suicide scare you? Of course it does. It scares me, too. Suicide is scary.

Because it's so scary, you may be afraid to say or do the "wrong" thing for fear that it may push someone over the edge. As a result, you may not say anything at all. But, this has the effect of leaving the person experiencing suicidal thoughts all on their own, which actually increases the risk of suicide. Talking about suicide and getting the person connected to care actually helps.

Here are some ways to talk about suicide with older adults whom you may be concerned about:

• Do you feel as though life is no longer an option for you?
• Have you had thoughts about harming yourself?
• Are you planning to harm yourself or take your life?
• Is there a gun in the house? Or a collection of pills?
• Are you often alone?

4. Encourage older adults to see their primary care provider to rule out any medical concerns that may be causing these symptoms.

Sometimes medical problems can cause mental health problems. It’s important to help the older adult get checked out by their primary care provider to rule out any medical causes that can be treated. If you’re a family member, it can help to accompany your loved one to their appointment and share your concerns, respectfully of course.

5. Help suicidal or depressed older adults to get connected to mental health professionals who specialize in older adults:

• Geriatric Mental Health Foundation. The doctors listed on their website are members of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP).
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA’s) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
• Psychology Today. In this resource portal, you can search for psychologists and psychiatrists who specialize in older adults, simply select your age category (Elders 65+)
• Major medical centers and universities. If your older loved one lives near a major medical center or medical university, go online (or Google them) to see if they offer mental health care for older adults. Here are some common terms to help you in your search: geriatric mental health, behavioral health for older adults, a geriatric psychiatry program, etc.

6. Still concerned about the safety of your older loved one? Consider:

• Removing pills, weapons, or other means
• Calling the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 9-8-8
• Calling 9-1-1 for welfare check (if you're concerned about the person's safety)
• Calling the older adult's primary care provider or mental health provider and expressing your concerns (even if you’ve done it before).

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Please don’t ignore signs and symptoms of suicide. Instead lean in, share your concerns, and help your older loved one get connected to mental health care.

If you or someone you know is in crisis or struggling with thoughts about harming yourself or others, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 (it's like 911, but for mental health emergencies).