Module 13b: Suicidality
Suicidality and Older Adults: Considerations
Evidence suggests that, for older adults:
- 70% of Adults aged 55+ visited a primary care provider within a month of their death (Luoma et al., 2002)
- It is not common for older adults to directly access mental health services (Heisel, 2016)
- It is prevalent in older adults with older men at higher risk
Fact Sheet: Older Adults and Suicide Canada
Explore the National Guidelines for the assessment of suicide risk and prevention of suicide from the Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health. Click here
Who’s at Risk?
- Suicidal behaviour and ideation
- Mental illness and addictions
- Medical illness
- Personality factors
- Negative life events, transitions and social support
- Functional Impairment
Protective Factors
- Good physical and mental health
- Strong supportive relationships with family and friends
- Being willing and able to ask for help when it’s needed
- Having a meaning and purpose in life
Resources
- Suicide Prevention Framework – Health Canada
- RNAO Best Practice Guideline: Assessment and Care of Adults at Risk for Suicidal Ideation and Behaviour – Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (2009)
- Suicide Risk: Managing Suicidality – CAMH
- Suicide Risk: Detecting & Assessing Suicidality – CAMH
- How to talk about suicide – Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention
- Suicide Risk Assessment Guide: A resource for health care organizations – Ontario Hospital Association and Canadian Patient Safety Institute (2011)
- Suicide Risk Assessment Toolkit: A resource for healthcare workers and organizations – Mental Health Commission of Canada and Canadian Patient Safety Institute (January 2021)
- Suicide Crisis Hotline 988
- Safety Plan Application: Hope by CAMH
- Safety Plan Template Mysafetyplan.org
- Training eModule: Mental Health Commission
References
- Heisel, M. (2016). Suicide among older adults. In M. Rapoport (ed.), Geriatric psychiatry review and exam preparation guide: A case-based approach (Chapter 2.8, pp. 206-227). University of Toronto Press.
- Luoma, J. B., Martin, C. E., & Pearson, J. L. (2002). Contact with mental health and primary care providers before suicide: a review of the evidence. American Journal of Psychiatry, 159(6), 909-916.
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