Boomers and Seniors at Risk of Suicide

Depression and suicide is on the rise among baby boomers and seniors. Here, the warning signs  — and what to do

Heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease — you don’t have to look very hard to find information on preventing and dealing with those health concerns. However, there’s one top cause of death among older adults that we don’t talk about enough: suicide.

Surprised? We see stories in the news about young people ending their own lives due to problems like depression or bullying. While it’s a serious issue, we often overlook an even scarier side to the story: suicide rates in industrialized countries are actually higher among older adults than younger adults and teens. Worse yet, with the aging population, experts warn we’ll see more cases of suicide among baby boomers and seniors.

“Suicide can be a hidden problem. We tend not to hear about in older adults. It tends to be an issue that gets neglected,” says Dr. Marnin Heisel, clinical psychologist and an assistant professor at the University of Western Ontario, in a story on CTV News.

Ten people over the age of 60 take their own lives each week, reports the article — but we seldom hear about these stories in the news. We hear a lot of the “rising tide” of age related illnesses like heart disease and Alzheimer’s, but not the risk of suicide.

In fact, if you look at data from Statistics Canada, the number of suicides in all age groups over age 45 increased between 2004 and 2008. In 2008, more than 1900 of the 3700 suicide deaths in Canada were among people over age 25.

Who is at risk

As you might expect, depression is connected to suicide across all age groups, but it’s not the only culprit. Experts warn that older adults are more likely to experience “depressive symptoms” rather than clinical depression — and sometimes people dismiss the signs as aging. Many people go undiagnosed as a result.

However, experts also warn we should be aware of other risk factors, including:

– Loneliness and social isolation. Many people who commit suicide live alone and/or lack a strong support network. Men over the age of 75 who are widowed or divorced are especially vulnerable, according to some sources.

– Recent loss of a loved one — like a spouse, close friend or pet.

– Alcohol abuse, drug abuse or addiction.

– A serious, debilitating or life threatening illness.

– Chronic pain — especially if it is severe and inescapable.

– Presence of a mental illness in addition to depression. Experts say the majority of people who commit suicide suffer from an illness such as bipolar disorder, eating disorders, personality disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder or schizophrenia. A history of trauma or abuse can also increase risk.

Warning signs

It isn’t always easy to tell if someone you know is in danger – many people don’t make overt suicide threats. In addition to the symptoms of depression, here are some red flags to watch out for:

– Increasing drug use or alcohol consumption.

– A preoccupation with death, such as collecting and reading information about suicide and death.

– Expressions of hopelessness or guilt. The at-risk person may say things like “I don’t know if I can go on.”

– Disruption to normal sleeping patterns (i.e. insomnia).

– Failure to take care of themselves, or follow doctors orders.

What to do

Do these signs sound familiar? Here is what experts say you can to do help:

Take symptoms seriously. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), about 50-75 per cent of people who committed suicide gave some warning to a loved one. If you see any signs, experts say you should take action. These behaviours are a cry for help.

Ask. Let the person know you are concerned. Now is the time to be direct, say experts. Ask the person “Are you having thoughts of suicide?” or “Are you thinking about killing yourself?”

If the answer is yes, push for more details. Ask the person if he or she has a plan in place — like having the means to carry out their intention, a chosen method or a certain date in mind. Experts warn if there is a plan in place, you should treat the situation as an immediate crisis.

Offer reassurance. It may be tempting to argue with or try to talk someone out of suicide, but experts advise to offer support instead. Tell the person you want to help and let them know you care. Assure them that these thoughts are often due to a treatable cause and there is hope. Encourage them to talk about their feelings and problems.

Get professional help. As much as you want to help, this situation is one you shouldn’t try to handle on your own. In an immediate crisis, experts say to take the person to an emergency room or mental health facility (if available) and stay with them until they get the help they need. Avoid leaving the person alone, and remove any harmful objects from the area.