These include a lack of trust in traditional services and an aversion to “formal” supports that frame emotional distress and suicidal behaviours as mental illness. This means better understanding men’s barriers to suicide interventions. We need to meet men where they are and listen to their quiet and absent voices by designing programs in partnership with them. Suicide prevention and early intervention responses that are not tailored to the needs of older men are unlikely to be effective. Read more: The vital role emergency departments play in frontline mental health care Instead, older men are speaking through their actions. One reason men are not talking about their mental health struggles is because there’s nowhere for them to open up in a way they see as culturally and socially acceptable. Yet emerging research challenges the assumption men don’t talk because they can’t. This may make them less inclined to share when they aren’t coping. Many ageing men hold restrictive and stoic beliefs about what it means to be a man. Research suggests gender stereotypes and social norms linked to masculinity reduce help-seeking behaviours and can increase suicide risk. Talking about itĪ reluctance to express their feelings or be vulnerable has long been discussed as an important factor for men’s wellbeing, especially when they’re feeling low. Such stressful events can increase feelings of marginalisation, loss of independence and worthlessness, and also lead to social isolation. These beliefs can overlap with major life transitions, such as retirement, stopping driving or moving to residential care, where they are a minority.

Older men at risk of suicide may feel they are “no longer needed” or perceive themselves as “burdensome” to family and community. The silent challenge among men aged over 85 who take their own lives is psychological and existential distress, which can reinforce feelings of loneliness and worthlessness. Read more: Royal commission delivers damning interim report on defence and veteran suicide. Ageing well often implies flourishing despite hardship. In fact, for older people, successful ageing is rarely defined purely by physical circumstances. However, we cannot assume only external issues cause distress and lead to suicide. Many factors contribute, including physical and material circumstances like frailty, chronic pain, bereavement and financial troubles. It is startling that men who have shown resilience to survive to late life are at such risk of preventable death. In light of COVID and what it has revealed about ageism and the value of older people in our society, it is crucial to explore these issues again.Īll the key risk factors for suicide have become even more relevant due to COVID. This risk is not new, but little has changed to address it over the past decade. The National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing released last month did not include data on people older than 85. In 2020, the overall suicide rate was 12.1 per 100,000 people.īut this issue is rarely addressed in public discourse or policy directives. The next highest rate was for men in both the 40-44 and 50-54 age bands (27.1 per 100,000). For women aged over 85, this rate was much lower (6.2 per 100,000). But the age-specific suicide rate was 36.2 deaths per 100,000 (up from 32.3 per 100,000 in 2019). Men aged over 85 accounted for a relatively small proportion of all male suicides (3.1%) in 2020 (the latest data available). While this is true for the net number of suicides, if we don’t consider age-standardised rates (which account for differences in age distribution across the population) we miss a crucial finding. Public perception is that men – in particular, young men – have the highest suicide risk. Yet what may come as a surprise to many is data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showing men over 85 have suicide rates more than three times the average rate. The tragedy of suicide is recognised as a major public health issue. This group is growing older, feeling alone and flying under the radar.

Men aged 85 and older have the highest suicide rates in Australia, but the tragedy has gone relatively unnoticed.

The silent age nightclub