Elderly men ‘most likely to commit suicide’

ELDERLY men are more likely to take their own lives than any other group in Irish society, contrary to the perception that young people present a higher risk of suicide.

According to the Irish Association of Suicidology, the number of elderly committing suicide has overtaken youth suicides and part of the reason for that is the isolation and lack of facilities for those living alone, particularly in rural Ireland.

“Youth suicide rates used to be higher but they have now been surpassed,” Dr John Connolly, honorary secretary of the association, said yesterday.

The association will highlight this phenomenon at its eighth annual conference, which opens in Limerick next week.

It will also examine research which shows that older people are more likely to have expressed a wish to end their lives to a doctor or family member but that this is often ignored, with tragic results.

“We have concentrated on youth aspects of suicide at conferences in the past but we feel the elderly are being neglected. Suicide is commonest among older people in the majority of countries and Ireland is no exception.”

Dr Connolly said that while older people generally made fewer suicide attempts, they tended to be more successful. “That’s partly because they are often more determined but also elderly people are not as robust and are less likely to survive the effects of an overdose, for example.”

He said the suicide rate was higher in rural areas among all age groups and this partly reflected the lack of transport and social facilities available.

“Although pensioners are entitled to free transport, many cannot avail of it and that leaves them isolated and lonely. People also tend to look on signs of depression as a symptom of ageing. In fact, it is a treatable illness.”

According to Professor Michael Fitzgerald, chairperson of the association, recent research has also shown a link between suicide risk and mental health problems among elderly people and depression is a major factor in this. “Depression is largely under diagnosed and where recognised under treated in older people,” he says in a paper to be delivered at the conference.

“Among older people a higher incidence of suicide is evident among males, people living alone, who are either widowed or single and therefore who may be lonely and socially isolated.”

Those on lower incomes also carried a higher risk of suicide, according to Professor Fitzgerald.

“It is important to note that that the majority of older people who commit suicide will have made some formal suicidal communication about their intention in the last year of life, either to family members or their doctors,” he said.

The eight annual conference of the Irish Association of Suicidology is in the South Court Hotel, Limerick, on the September 20 and 21.

For information contact Josephine Scott. Telephone [phone]. Email: [e-mail]. Website: www.ias.ie