Suicide in older adults with and without known mental illness: Results from the National Violent Death Reporting System, 2003–2016
American Journal of Preventive Medicine Feb 02, 2020
Schmutte TJ, et al. - Using the National Violent Death Reporting System, 2003–2016, researchers compared the features as well as precipitating conditions of geriatric suicide decedents with and without known mental illnesses in this retrospective study. Suicide deaths for adults aged ≥ 65 years were considered. Findings revealed the absence of a known mental health condition among most older adults who died from suicide. The precipitating circumstance with the most prevalence was a physical health problem, and this was found more often among older adults without known mental illness. Those with a known mental illness more often reported past suicide attempt, disclosure of suicidal intent, depressed mood, and substance use. The suicidal intent was not disclosed by more than three fourths of suicide decedents. The majority of suicide deaths involved firearms, which were disproportionately used by decedents without known mental illness vs those with known mental illness. The need for more effective ways to recognize and manage at-risk older adults, especially those who are male, is emphasized in view of the rapidly growing US geriatric population.
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