Suicide Among the Elderly

Abstract

This is an article which shares one rabbi's research and reflections on the subject of suicide among the elderly. Remembering one such instance which occurred early on in his training for the rabbinate, three questions are addressed: What are some of the recent findings regarding incidence and reasons for such suicides; What has been the Judeo-Christian attitude toward suicide throughout the centuries and up until the present day; and finally, What future steps will be necessary if the religious community is to respond worthily to the challenge of elderly suicides? From a futurist perspective, how might theological training and congregational-parish life reflect a determined effort to lessen the number of elderly suicides?