Older adults

Older persons are identified as a priority population for suicide prevention strategies.

Older adults make up a considerable proportion of Australia’s population and they are exposed to a range of risk factors which can increase vulnerability to suicide¹.

What we know about suicide amongst older adults

Data provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that the highest age-specific suicide rate for men in 2020 was found in the 85+ age group, recording 36.2 deaths per 100,000 persons. The age specific suicide rate for females aged 85 and over was 6.2 per 100,000 persons. The male suicide rate for those aged 85 and over was considerably higher than the age-specific suicide rate observed in all other age groups, for both sexes. It should be noted that the number of suicides in this age group accounted for 3.1 % of all male intentional self-harm deaths in 2020².

Males aged over 85 years:

• Had the highest age-specific suicide rate
• Accounted for the smallest proportion (3.1%) of suicide in males.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics states that risk factors for suicide in older persons include living with chronic health conditions.

According to the World Health Organization, mental health conditions are under-identified and under-reported in older adults. Untreated mental illness can contribute to an increased suicide risk. Low help-seeking behaviours for mental health concerns can impact on these rates, with older adults less likely to seek professional help due to stigma, knowledge of services and available and accessibility. Suicide prevention in older adults should aim improve help-seeking behaviours and reduce stigma.

Protective factors

Protective factors that can reduce the likelihood of suicidal behaviour among older adults living in Australia include:

• Strong social networks
• Community participation
• Learning new skills or having a hobby
• Maintaining physical health
• Protective factors for women include: self-sufficiency, help seeking,
• Greater ability to adapt
• Connection to land, spirituality and ancestry, kinship networks and cultural continuity (such as being a role model and educating the young) for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Risk factors

Factors that increase the risk of suicide amongst older adults living in Australia include:

• Bereavement social isolation
• Losing the ability to live independently
• Sensory impairment and losses (particularly with men)
• Financial difficulty
• Poor physical health and or/chronic pain
• Disease existing mental health conditions.