Old age psychiatry and geriatric medicine admissions and elderly suicide rates in England

Abstract

Almost all elderly suicide victims have mental illness, and up to 90% have depression (Shah and De, 1998). A significant number of elderly suicide victims in Western countries consult their general practitioner or psychiatrist or contact mental health services between one week and six months prior to the suicide (Catell, 1988; Conwell et al., 1990; 1991; Catell and Jolley, 1995; Vassilas and Morgan, 1993; 1994). This offers an opportunity for identification and treatment of the mental illness. Thus, the availability of appropriate healthcare services may be an important factor associated with elderly suicide rates.