A Time to die: Recent Suicide Trends Among the oOld in North Carolina, 1972-1977

Analyses are presented of all officially recorded suicidal deaths of persons aged 60 or over in North Carolina during 1972-77 (N=847). General suicide trends in North Carolina, & variations by sex & race, were compared with those of the United States. Analysis of changes in demographic & socioeconomic conditions is presented to account for the differential trends in elderly suicide. This analysis provided the context for a discussion of the precipitants of elderly suicide.