The Samaritans and the Elderly: Some Problems in Communication Between a Suicide Prevention Scheme and a Group With a High Suicide Rate

Describes a national random survey of British citizens aged 65+. Concludes from 583 successfully completed interviews (response rate=75%) that (a) relatively few aged know of the Samaritan’s (a suicide prevention agency) existence, & (b) a large proportion are either unable or not accustomed to using the telephone as the usual means of contacting the Samaritans. Those most likely to suicide were found to be least likely to know of the Samaritans & marginally less proficient at using telephones.