Methods of Elderly Suicides in England and Wales by Country of Birth Groupings

Suicide rates in older people in the United Kingdom have steadily declined for both genders since the mid-1980s. The current challenge is to sustain this downward trend. The importance of removal of means as a suicide prevention strategy has been emphasized as being one of the most practicable & effective of policies for suicide reduction. In addition, it appears that reduction of the means of suicide may be particularly appropriate for older people. In this study the authors examined the methods of suicide in England & Wales, including those in different ethnic groups, to inform the development of preventative strategies. (5 refs.) JA