Suicide and self-harm in older adults

Abstract

Older people have higher suicide rates and engage in self-harm with greater intent to die, higher lethality and greater risk of eventual suicide than people in other age groups. However, research and interventions to address suicide and self-harm in older people remain limited. In this Review, we consider the unique challenges faced by older people in relation to suicide and self-harm. We integrate research on risk factors, psychological theories on underlying mechanisms, and public health interventions and clinical treatments specific to this age group. We highlight age-related challenges to health, independence, purpose, social role and social connection, and barriers to care related to ageism and the accessibility of mental health services. We discuss directions for future research with a particular focus on understudied and high-risk groups, moderating factors and interventions. Older adults have the highest suicide rates of any age group, but the mechanisms leading to this behaviour remain understudied. In this Review, Connors et al. integrate epidemiological research with psychological theories and interventions to better understand and prevent suicide and self-harm in older adults.