Year: 1987 Source: International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, v.2, no.2, (1987), p.71-72 SIEC No: 19901178

This Editorial contends that the high rate of suicide among the elderly stems from psychiatric disorder, physical illness, & the social consequences of growing old. Preventative measures are discussed. They fall braodly into 3 categories: physical prevention of the act; removal of the provoking distress; & raising the ethical & moral barriers to suicide within society at large. The article notes that the pattern of the elderly resorting to nonsuicidal self harm may be on the increase.