Middle-aged men ‘cast adrift’ between generations

An analysis of why middle-aged men have the highest suicide rate has identified diminishing life and career opportunities, and the pressures of being a provider, as sources of psychological distress, which potentially heighten the risk.

Facing up to the “failure” of unfulfilled aspirations and expectations at middle age, and deteriorating health and acknowledgement of mortality are additional stresses.

The report, Middle-Aged Men and Suicide in Ireland, launched yesterday, said that these issues are compounded by “significant new societal challenges” such as zero-hour contracts, multiple career paths, the changing role of men, and an unravelling of the more traditional pillars of society, such as religion and politics.