•Introduction

•The causes

•The key risk factors of elder suicide

•The warning signs

•U.S. Suicide Statistics

•Conclusion

• Someone age 65 or over completes suicide every 90 minutes -- 16 deaths a day. Elders account for one-fifth of all suicides, but only 12% of the population. White males over age 85 are at the highest risk and complete suicide at almost six times the national average. The suicide rate among elders is two to three times higher than in younger age groups. Elder suicide may be under-reported 40% or more.

Elder suicide is associated with depression and factors causing depression, e.g., chronic illness, physical impairment, unrelieved pain, financial stress, loss and grief, social isolation, and alcoholism. Depression is tied to low serotonin levels.

• Loss of spouse.

• A late onset depressive disorder.

• A debilitating and/or terminal illness.

• Severe chronic/intractable pain.

• Decreasing independence and self-sufficiency.

• Decreased socialization and social supports.

• The following may indicate serious risk:• Loss of interest in things or activities that are usually found

enjoyable • Cutting back social interaction, self-care, and grooming. • Breaking medical regimens (e.g., going off diets,

prescriptions) • Experiencing or expecting a significant personal loss (e.g.,

spouse) • Feeling hopeless and/or worthless ("Who needs me?"). • Putting affairs in order, giving things away, or making

changes in wills. • Stock-piling medication or obtaining other lethal means.

• Social: reduced social networks, loneliness, bereavement, poverty, physical ill health

• Psychological: low self-esteem, lack of capacity for intimacy, physical ill health

• Biological: neuronal loss/neurotransmitter loss, genetic risk, physical ill health

• Breakdown by Gender / Ethnicity / Young, Old Age Groups

• Rate Per Number Per Day 100,000 % of Deaths Total ................30,622............83.9........10.8..........1.3 Males ..............24,672...........67.6.........17.6...........2.1 Females..............5,950...........16.3..........4.1...........0.5 Whites..............27,710...........75.9.........11.9..........1.3 Nonwhites..........2,912.............8.0..........5.6...........0.9 Blacks.................1,957.............5.4...........5.3..........0.7

• Elderly (65+ yrs.) .5,393..........14.8..........15.3.........0.3

• Young (15-24 yrs.).3,971.........10.9............9.9........12.3

Further Breakdown by Gender / Ethnicity

Rate Per Group # of Suicides 100,000

• White Male............22,328.......................19.5

• White Female ..........5,382........................4.6

• Nonwhite Male ........2,344........................9.3

• Nonwhite Female ........568.......................2.1

• Black Male .................1,627......................9.2

• Black Female.................330......................1.7

• Hispanic......................1,850.....................5.0

U.S. Suicide Statistics by Suicide Methods

Suicide affect us all

• Senior suicides are expected to swell in coming years as baby boomers reach old age

Increasingly, workers in the mental health field, especially counselors and therapists. to combat suicide –through prevention programs, and teaching those prevention programs to everyone who interacts with the older individuals requires increased sensitivity to issues that they confront daily.A support system among those who provide follow-up care became especially important since suppression of suicidal ideation may take up to 12 weeks before thoughts dissipate.Respect, consideration, and company should be one important treatment to help them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyFFQ0xRWsM

• Isabel Carrasco Publicado el miércoles 12 de noviembre 2008.• Recobrado Diciembre 02/2012 de:• http://www.cinteco.com/profesionales/2008/11/12/conducta-suicidada-

en-la-personas- mayores/• E. García de Jalón, V. Peralta• Unidad de Psiquiatría. Hospital Virgen del Camino. Pamplona• Recobrado Diciembre 02/2012 de: • Carlos José Parales- Elisa Dulce y-Ruiz Revista LatinoAmericana de

Psicología (centro de psicología gerontología 2002) recobrado en noviembre 20, 2012

• http://www.cfnavarra.es/salud/anales/textos/vol25/sup3/suple7a.html • http://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide/resource_respond

ers_spanish.df• http://www.suicidioprevencion.com/pdf