Old People Talk about Suicide: A Discussion about Suicide in a Long-Term Care Facility for Frail and Elderly People

In the institution, talk of suicide, like talk of death, is often suppressed. This article presents some sociohistorical concepts about suicide as a framework for considering contemporary attitudes among elderly people in the United States. In this illuminating verbatim report of a group therapy session in a long-term care institution, the residents openly discuss their feelings about the suicide of a fellow resident. Their range of feelings, positive and negative, is revealed. Also illustrated is the importance of providing an emotional outlet such as this group discussion for the intense feelings generated by suicide. Implications for training and practice are suggested, as well as some unresolved human dilemmas.