Background: Reports based on studies of coroner's files show that suicides in old age are commonly related to depression, but that in a majority of cases disability or ill-health is also a major factor. The aim of this study was to try to understand more clearly the precipitant causes of suicide in an older population.
Method: An Australian metropolitan coroner's office provided data concerning suicides in 1994-1998 of persons aged over 65 years.
Results: Of 210 elderly people who killed themselves, 160 (76%) were clearly depressed, including a majority of the 24% deemed to have understandable reasons for suicide. Physical ill-health or disability was the major factor leading to suicide in 34% and appeared to contribute to suicidal ideation in another 24% of those who died; they had usually not been seen by psychiatrists.
Conclusion: Because depression is often treatable, even when associated with depressing circumstances, there is potential for further reduction of old age suicide rates by recognising and appropriately responding to symptoms of depression and distress.
Copyright 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.