Abstract
Over a third of suicides in old age have seen a GP within the week of their suicide, however little is known about the last contact these suicide victims have had with health professionals (HPs). To determine what occurs in the last contact suicide victims have with health professionals a psychological autopsy study was conducted of suicides aged 35 years and over. Next-of-kin of suicide victims were interviewed using a modified version of the Rochester Suicide Behavior Profile in a semi-structured taped face-to-face interview. These interviews covered demographic data, information about what led up to the suicide including expression of suicidal ideation and also a Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID) (Spitzer et al, 1994). HCPs who had contact with the suicide victims in the three months prior to their death were also interviewed. A total of 52 suicides were included in the final sample, 18 of which were over the age of 60.
The majority of suicides, regardless of age, were diagnosed with a mental illness at the time of their death and the majority of the consultations were related to mental health issues. The consultations with suicides over the age of 60 tended to be shorter and despite the presence of depression, suicide risk was less likely to be assessed. In addition next of kin appeared to have more detailed knowledge of behaviour suggestive of potential suicide risk than did the HCPs, yet they infrequently attempted to communicate concerns to HCPs. Further characteristics of older suicides and the implications for the prevention of suicide in old age will be discussed.
