Elder suicides: A reminder from the forgotten generation

• Published in: Asian journal of psychiatry 2022-05, Vol.71, p.103028-103028, Article 103028
• Main Authors: Seneviratne, V. Lakmi, Ranaweera, Sajeeva, Atkins, Martin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Elder suicides; Humans; Income; Prevention of suicides; Risk Factors; South Asia; Sri Lanka; Sri Lanka - epidemiology; Suicide - prevention & control; Suicide - psychology
• ISSN: 1876-2018; 1876-2026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajp.2022.103028

Elder suicide is a significant public health issue in many countries. This reflects the complex underlying psychosocial, mental and physical health issues that older adults face. Increased life expectancy in developing countries has resulted in a gradual transition to an ageing population. Furthermore, in countries such as Sri Lanka, the transition occurs at a lower per capita income than in developed countries. This will negatively impact the availability of resources and service delivery to at-risk individuals. Thus, addressing elder suicide and concerns of elders are timely issues. This paper looks at the underlying risk factors associated with elder suicide and strategies that can be implemented in preventing elder suicide in the South Asian context, with reference to Sri Lanka. •Elder suicides are a significant public health concern in Sri Lanka.•Sri Lanka is projected to transition to an ageing population, which is likely to bring elder suicides to the forefront.•Transition will occur at a lower per capita income than in developed countries.•Therefore, there is a need to address the complex underlying factors that contribute to suicide as well as establish relevant services for older adults