Suicide and its prevention among older adults.
OBJECTIVE
To review the research on the epidemiology, risk and resiliency, assessment, treatment, and prevention of late-life suicide.


METHODS
I reviewed mortality statistics. I searched MEDLINE and PsycINFO databases for research on suicide risk and resiliency and for randomized controlled trials with suicidal outcomes. I also reviewed mental health outreach and suicide prevention initiatives.


RESULTS
Approximately 12/100,000 individuals aged 65 years or over die by suicide in Canada annually. Suicide is most prevalent among older white men; risk is associated with suicidal ideation or behaviour, mental illness, personality vulnerability, medical illness, losses and poor social supports, functional impairment, and low resiliency. Novel measures to assess late-life suicide features are under development. Few randomized treatment trials exist with at-risk older adults.


CONCLUSIONS
Research is needed on risk and resiliency and clinical assessment and interventions for at-risk older adults. Collaborative outreach strategies might aid suicide prevention.
Heisel
Marnin J
MJ
Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, The University of Western Ontario, London. Marnin.Heisel@lhsc.on.ca
D000368:Aged; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D011584:Psychology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D000092864:Suicide Prevention