Risk factors and methods in suicides of elderly patients connected to mental health services from 1999-2024.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Suicide prevention is an important aspect of psychiatric care, with older men being a population identified at especially high suicide risk and a recent increase in suicides among older women.

Methods

Using data collected by the region's quality assurance team, we examined all suicide deaths occurring between March 1999 and February 2024 in patients aged 60 years or older who were connected to the region's Addiction and Mental Health Program at the time of death. Data were analyzed to describe which factors were most commonly identified in suicides in older adults receiving mental healthcare. We also compared male and female cases to determine whether certain factors were more commonly observed in one gender.

Results

We identified 48 cases of suicide occu

SUBMITTER: Chan EC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11215130 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature