Suicide and Attempted Suicide Among Older Adults in Western Australia

This study investigated the relationship between suicidal behaviour & contact with mental health services among the elderly in Western Australia. The authors found that people over 60 years of age accounted for 15% of suicides & 4.6% of attempted suicides. Rates were 3.3% higher in males & 4.4% higher in females when compared to the general population. Greatest risk of suicide was found in patients with diagnoses of affective psychoses, adjustment reaction, or depressive disorder, while a diagnosis of cancer was associated with decreased risk of suicide. (24 refs)