Keeping an eye on lonely older men in the community is more than just friendly – it can be life-saving, according to a University of Queensland researcher.
Colleen Cartwright from the University’s Australasian Centre on Ageing said older men, aged 75 plus, had the highest rates of suicide in Australia.
And social isolation is one of the biggest risk factors, she said.
“In 1998, the rates of suicide for older men in Queensland were 43 cases out of 100,000, compared with 31 out of 100,000 for young men aged 15-24,” she said.
“While resources and concerns are rightfully centered on preventing young men from killing themselves, particularly in terms of years of life lost, I think there should also be a community priority on helping older men in distress.”
Ms Cartwright said the suicide figures might even be higher, as suicide could be under-reported.
“There’s still a widespread belief in the community, even among health professionals, that committing suicide is a criminal offence. It hasn’t been the case in Queensland since 1899, but I think that doctors might be loathe to report an elderly death as a suicide, because of any likely ramifications.”
She said relatives, friends and neighbours of older men should be aware of the main suicide risk factors.
“While one of the leading causes is social isolation, which is linked to others such as recently being widowed or living alone, they also include a recent serious physical illness or mental illness,” she said.
She said people should take particular notice if an older relative or friend became withdrawn or depressed.
“Simply talking to them is a good starting point. If the problem seems too great, work out who to go to for help – a GP, the mental health unit, even the police can provide assistance, especially in smaller towns,” she said.
“Set up some community support, and keep in touch.”
Ms Cartwright is conducting ongoing research on suicide prevention and the effects of social isolation in older Australians. She recently completed evaluations of State Government initiatives for older people.
The University’s Australasian Centre on Ageing was set up in 2001 by the faculties of Health Sciences and Social and Behavioural Sciences, as an umbrella unit for multi-disciplinary research on issues affecting older people.
Media: For further information, contact Colleen Cartwright (telephone 07 3365 4514, 3346 9084, email: c.cartwright@sph.uq.edu.au) or UQ Communications (telephone 07 3365 3367 or email: communications@uq.edu.au).
