Elderly suicide, did you know?

If you are in crisis, dial 2-1-1 from anywhere in Connecticut. 2-1-1 is certified by the American Association of Suicidology. If you live outside of Connecticut use the National Hopeline number which is 1-800-784-2433.

In the United States:

• While the elderly constitute only 12.7% of the population, they account for 19% of all suicides.
• There is one elderly suicide every one hour thirty minutes.
• The suicide rate for the elderly 65-74 declined by 3.8% between 1990 and 1998.
• The suicide rate for the elderly 75-84 declined by approximately 5% between 1990 and 1998.
• White males over the age of 85 are at the greatest risk for suicide compared to all age/gender/racial groups. They complete suicide almost 6 times the national average.
• 81% of elderly suicides are male; that is 13 times greater than for females.
• Although older adults attempt suicide less often than those in other age groups, they have a higher completion rate.
• Only a fraction (2-4%) of suicide victims have been diagnosed with a terminal illness at the time of their death.
• For every completed elder suicide there are 4 attempts by this age group (4:1 ratio for elderly).
• 20% of elderly suicides had been seen by a physician within 24 hours of completing suicide; 41% had been seen by a physician within the last week of their lives.
• Elderly persons are less likely to reach out by calling crisis line than their younger counterparts.
• Elder suicide may be under reported by 40% or more. (Silent suicides deaths for medical non-compliance & overdoses, self-starvation or dehydration, and accidents).
• "Double Suicides" involving spouses/partners are most frequent among the aged.
• 95% of people who complete suicide suffer from depression. 40% to 50% of people have never received MH. Services. Depression is also linked to low seratonin levels. Seratonin is a neurotransmitter which limits self-destructive behavior, and seratonin levels decrease with age.