Senior Health Suicide and Seniors 9/20/2023 | By Terri L. Jones Suicide isn’t merely a problem of young or middle-aged people. In fact, rates of suicide and success are higher among older adults. Seniors Guide writer Terri Jones looks at the problem of suicide and seniors and offers warning signs and resources for help. With age come so many difficult changes. You may have lost your sense of purpose. You may have lost many of the people you love. Your body won’t do what it used to, restricting your lifestyle and possibly even making you dependent on others. And because you may be living on a fixed income, you may be unable to afford the things you need, much less the things you want! As a result of these drastic life changes, many seniors suffer from depression. Many older adults view these feelings of sadness and hopelessness as simply part and parcel of aging, with only 42 percent of seniors with depression seeking help. But undiagnosed clinical depression can increase a senior’s risk for suicide. According to 2022 CDC data, people ages 85 and older had the highest rates of suicide (22.4 per 100,000) followed by people ages 75-84 (19.6 per 100,000), compared to the national average of 18.4 per 100,000. To help raise awareness about this difficult topic – and prevent more lives from being lost – we’re providing some of the warning signs to watch out for: Sleeping too much or not enough Withdrawing from people Losing interest in favorite activities Neglecting grooming, medical care and personal safety Increasing substance use Feeling like a burden Giving away treasured possessions or changing a will Talking about wanting to die Looking for a way to kill oneself If you suspect that someone you love is at risk of suicide – or that someone is you – it’s important to take action, rather than just wait for things to get better. These resources can get your loved one or you back on the right path. Related: The effects of loneliness on senior health Suicide and seniors: prevention resources Find help. At the first sign of suicidal ideation, you should immediately reach out to a mental health professional. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which isn’t just for substance users, can offer treatment options for mental health issues and help you find a professional who can provide care. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), an advocacy, education, support and public awareness organization, can also help you learn more about mental illness and find support. If cost is a roadblock to getting help, many senior service organizations can provide a counselor at a nominal fee or potentially free. Become involved. Rather than withdrawing from life, getting involved in “meaningful recreational, creative and social activities” can improve mental health, advises Alex van Aartrijk, manager of the Office on Aging and Disability Services in Chesterfield County, Virginia. National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults is a national effort to increase social engagement among older adults through a variety of activities, administered by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) and funded by the U.S. Administration on Aging. Get informed. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention offers guidance on how to talk to someone who may be at risk for suicide, how to get help as well as a plethora of other resources to prevent suicides. Make the call. If there is immediate danger of suicide, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, a national network of local crisis centers, was created to provide confidential support to those in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. The lifeline, which is free, is operated 24/7 in the U.S. Stay local. Many local organizations also provide support to seniors and help raise suicide awareness within the community. For example, the Chesterfield Suicide Awareness and Prevention Coalition in Virginia offers workshops about common risk factors for suicide and warning signs. Seniors plan suicide more carefully than younger victims and they also tend to use more lethal methods. Therefore, one in four seniors who attempts suicide will succeed. Don’t ignore the signs – get help before it’s too late! Related: More from Seniors Guide on suicide among older adults Read More Terri L. Jones Terri L. Jones has been writing educational and informative topics for the senior industry for over ten years, and is a frequent and longtime contributor to Seniors Guide.