Outline Suicidal behavior among children Suicidal behavior among adolescents and young adults Suicidal behavior in middle adulthood Suicidal behavior in late adulthood

Suicidal Behavior in Childhood In 2010, suicide was the 3rd leading cause of death for ages Suicide rate (per 100,000) by age for – 5 years: 0 (no deaths reported) 6 – 10 years: 0.07 (14 deaths) 11 – 15 years: 2.10 (435 deaths) Average rate in US: 12.4

Adolescents and Young Adults Suicide is the 3 rd leading cause of death for those and 2 nd for those age Suicide rate (per 100,000) in – 20 years: 8.99 (2,007 deaths) 21 – 24 years: (2,418 deaths) 25 – 34 years: (5,735 deaths) Average rate in US: 12.4 Attempt to death ratio :1

Question Why do we hear so much about teen suicide when the teen suicide rate is below average? Is it warranted?

Suicide in Midlife Suicide is the 4th leading cause of death for those age 35-44, 4th for 45-54, and 8th for Midlife is the peak of suicidal behavior Suicide rates (per 100,000) in – 44 years: (6,571 deaths) 45 – 54 years: (8,799 deaths) 55 – 64 years: (6,384 deaths) Average for all ages: 12.4

Suicide Trends

Comparing Mid and Late Life Suicide rates (per 100,000) in – 44 years: (6,571 deaths) 45 – 54 years: (8,799 deaths) 55 – 64 years: (6,384 deaths) 65 – 84 years: (5,026 deaths) Men years: (968 deaths) Men Overall rate: 12.4

Suicide Rate by Age and Sex Based on WISQARS 2007 data ( rate per 100,000

Suicide in Late Life Suicide not in the top 10 causes of death Older adult white men drive high suicide rates Attempt to death ratio 2-4:1 Higher suicide intent, more lethal means

Older Adults (65+) More Likely to Use Firearm than Youth (15-24) Slide Courtesy of Dr. Amy Fiske Source: data from CDC/WISQARS; 2005; Young = 15-24, Older = 65+. Firearm Suffocation Poisoning Firearm Poisoning Firearm Suffocation

Doctor Visits More suicide attempters than non-attempters had visited their general practitioner within 2 weeks of their attempt Up t0 75% of older adults who died by suicide visited a physician within a month of their death 4% were diagnosed with a mood disorder before their attempt, 57% were subsequent to their attempt. What does this tell you?

Beliefs about aging There are myths about aging that lead some to believe that suicide is more understandable than it really is for older adults. “Once the quality of one’s life has long since peaked and is fraught with physical and emotional pain, the wish to end one’s own life is somewhat understandable” Older adults have less depression High life satisfaction in older adults Much of the physical and emotional pain is treatable