Elderly Suicide: Risk Factors and Preventive Strategies

Suicide is a serious problem concerning mental health professionals. In the present paper we will attempt a review of the evidence about the risk factors associated with suicidality among the elderly, mainly factors related with mental health illnesses and mainly depression, somatic illnesses, chronic pain and psychosocial factors, like social isolation, bereavement and financial problems. In addition, issues regarding interventions, at the individual or group level, to prevent suicide are reviewed, including contracting, medication, screening, reducing social isolation, restriction of access to lethal means, community education programs and the role of the general practitioners in detecting proneness to suicide. In addition, we will focus on useful improvements of interventions aiming at reducing suicide rates from a social policy and prevention