BACKGROUND: In recent years suicide among older adults has been increasing internationally. The suicide rate among older adults in Ireland is no exception. AIMS: The aim of the current study was to report the rate of suicide among older adults in Ireland and to compare these rates to those of the UK. METHOD: Suicide rates from 1975-2005 for older adults in both Ireland and the UK were obtained and compared. RESULTS: Suicide rates among older adults in Ireland are increasing, while for that same period suicide rates among older adults in the UK are decreasing. CONCLUSIONS: The increased consumption of alcohol in Ireland compared to the UK as well as a higher prevalence of depression among older people in Ireland may account for the observed difference. Findings have implications for suicide prevention in Ireland.
BACKGROUND: In recent years suicide among older adults has been increasing internationally. The suicide rate among older adults in Ireland is no exception. AIMS: The aim of the current study was to report the rate of suicide among older adults in Ireland and to compare these rates to those of the UK. METHOD: Suicide rates from 1975-2005 for older adults in both Ireland and the UK were obtained and compared. RESULTS: Suicide rates among older adults in Ireland are increasing, while for that same period suicide rates among older adults in the UK are decreasing. CONCLUSIONS: The increased consumption of alcohol in Ireland compared to the UK as well as a higher prevalence of depression among older people in Ireland may account for the observed difference. Findings have implications for suicide prevention in Ireland.
Authors: W Rutz; J Wålinder; G Eberhard; G Holmberg; A L von Knorring; L von Knorring; B Wistedt; A Aberg-Wistedt Journal: Acta Psychiatr Scand Date: 1989-01 Impact factor: 6.392
Authors: Fiona A McDougall; Kari Kvaal; Fiona E Matthews; Eugene Paykel; Peter B Jones; Michael E Dewey; Carol Brayne Journal: Psychol Med Date: 2007-04-04 Impact factor: 7.723