Suicide in Old Age: Causes, Risk Factors, and the Profile in Türkiye
Suicide in Old Age: Causes, Risk Factors, and the Profile in Türkiye

Summary/Abstract: Aging is an irreversible physiological process, with the period of 65 years and older defined as old age. Suicide, a deliberate act of ending one’s life, is a complex global public health issue with multifaceted psychological, biological, social, cultural, and economic dimensions. This study aims to examine the risk factors associated with suicide in the elderly population and provide an overview of elderly suicides within the context of Türkiye. The World Health Organization (WHO) categorizes older adults into young-old (65–74), middle-old (75–84), and oldest old (85+) groups, noting that mortality rates due to suicide increase significantly with advancing age. Key risk factors identified include depression, often underdiagnosed and presenting atypically in this demographic, social isolation, loneliness, chronic physical illnesses, and experiencing significant losses such as bereavement or loss of social status. The most common methods of suicide among Turkish elderly are hanging and firearms, with chronic disease being the most frequently cited reason. The findings underscore the critical need for a multifaceted prevention approach. This includes strengthening social support networks to combat isolation, improving accessibility and detection of mental health services within primary care settings, and implementing targeted, community-based suicide prevention programs. Addressing these factors through updated assessment tools, public awareness campaigns, and supportive government policies is essential for mitigating suicide risk in the growing elderly population.

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