help-seeking behaviour in elderly suicides

Last reviewed 01/2018

Elderly patients who go on to suicide are likely to have had recent contact with a healthcare professinal:

• 90% had seen their GP in the preceeding 3 months
• 50% had seen their GP in the preceeding week
• 20% had seen a psychiatrist in the preceeding 6 months

Although patients see their doctors they often do not discuss suicide - only 21% of patients seeing their GP on the day of suicide actually mentioned their intention.

Reference:

• 1) Isometsa, ET, Heikkinen, ME. et al. (1995). The last appointment before suicide: is suicide intent communicated? Am J Psychiatr, 152, 919-22.