Suicide among the Elderly: A Psychological Perspective

Abstract

This theoretical paper focusses on the psychological aspects of understanding the impact of elderly suicide on society. The reasons associated with the prevalence of suicide among the elderly population and the preventive measures that can be utilised for enhancement and adjustment of the elderly with respect to their standing in their personal and social life. The elderly population of India has a noteworthy risk of suicide compared to the other age groups. Hence, it becomes pertinent to identify the suicidal risk factors prevalent among the elderly, which can further help in planning and prevention of suicides among this group. It has been found that amongst the Indian geriatric populace factors such as, co-morbid physical illness, mental illness, and family burden of psychiatric illness, lower educational background, unemployment, widowhood are prominent predictors for elderly suicide attempts. Thus, suicide prevention for the elderly needs specific interventions specially personalised for this population, such as, familial and social support, improved identification, assessment and treatment of depression, attention to medical problems, dependency issues, and education of primary care physicians can be promoted as interventions for reduction of suicide among the elderly.