When we think of
suicide, there is a tendency to focus on youth as those are the cases that
appear to be mentioned most frequently in the media. There is less attention
drawn to the prevalence of suicide among older adults. Monette (2012) points
out that one the highest rates of suicide, as indicated by stats Canada (http://www.statcan.gc.ca/tables-tableaux/sum-som/l01/cst01/hlth66e-eng.htm)
is among men aged 85-89. I read a few articles discussing the tragic
implications that these realities may have on the aging baby boomer population in
Canada (Favaro & Philip, 2011; Monette, 2012). I wondered what initiatives
are being taken in regards to the adequate provision for seniors experiencing
symptoms of depression and suicidal ideation. I also wondered how these
services are brought to the awareness of individuals and families as we retreat
back into individualist thinking.
Deaths among
older adults are often attributed to common factors of aging such as illness,
forgetfulness, chronic illness, and so on (Monette, 2012). There is less attention
paid to the nuances of individual cases and the realities of mental health
problems present in the lives of older adults. There seem to be two sides to
the dilemma. Firstly, our ideas as a society are that depression and ideas
around death and despair are natural traits of aging (Monette, 2012). Secondly,
there appears to be a stigma attached to the act of seeking help for depression
and other disorders that may present themselves in older adults (Monette, 2012).
I would argue that both of these factors are influenced by neoliberal thinking.
Through a neoconservative/neoliberal
lens, individuality and autonomy are perceived as both necessary and inevitable
aspects of society (Hick, 2007). This type of thinking urges individuals in
need to seek the support of their families and spouses rather than government
services. These ideas perpetuate the stigma associated with a call for help. In
Senior Suicide: an Overlooked Problem (Monette,
2012), Kimberly Wilson, executive director of the Canadian Coalition for
Seniors Mental Health, argues that this stigma may be generational. Issues
around mental health may be more acceptable than they were previously; however,
those who have been raised in a time when these issues were less acceptable may
not feel comfortable seeking help (Monette, 12). In talking to members of my
own family in the older generation, they explain that this individualistic view
was prevalent years ago. One explained that her parents struggled when her
mother was diagnosed as having Alzheimer’s disease. The idea of seeking help
was out of the question for her father who was convinced that asking for help
would make him a bad husband. He could not provide adequate care for her, and
she ended up in a nursing home. Shortly after, he passed away. The family
claims that he died of a “broken heart”. Social isolation and loss of
independence are two of the leading causes of depression in older adults
(Favaro & Philip, 2011). I’ve heard similar stories and can’t help but hope
for a different, more progressive idea of family; one that encompasses the
individual within the family as well as the inclusion of supports around the
family within the community.
One organization
that is spearheading initiatives around mental health concerns regarding aging
populations is the Mental Health Commission of Canada’s Senior Advisory Committee.
The three main goals of the committee are to (1) initiate projects to reduce
stigma around mental health issues among senior populations, (2) Ensure that
guidelines are revised to include the treatment of seniors in specific, and (3)
focus on knowledge exchange between individuals in the field to enhance the
care of seniors in mental health and dementia (Mental Health Commission of
Canada, n.d.). The goal of the strategies above are to work against the
barriers that impede service such as stigma, gaps in services, and availability
of services in Canada.
There are a
number of factors that contribute to depression and drive someone to the tragedy
of suicide. As a society, it is important that we pay attention to the way we
communicate with older adults. We need to be aware of the hardships they may be
facing with the loss of everything they once held dear. I have heard a number
of comments over the years that have stereotyped seniors as being miserable and
cynical. This way of thinking only serves to perpetuate the stigma associated
with aging. I’m thrilled to see progress in the area of mental health awareness
and older adults. I hope to see more support and awareness as the demand for
services increases.
Thank you,
-Kayla
References
Favaro, A. & Philip, E. (2011, Oct. 7).
Suicide among seniors a real but overlooked problem. CTV News. Retrieved from http://www.ctvnews.ca/suicide-among-seniors-a-real-but-overlooked-problem-1.707900
Hick, S. (2007). Social Welfare in Canada: Understanding Income Security (2nd
ed.). Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc.: Toronto, Canada.
MacCourt, P., Wilson, K.,
&Tourigny-Rivard, M. (2011). Guidelines for comprehensive mental health services
for older adults in Canada. Retrieved from http://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca/seniorsguidelines/
Monette, M. (2012, October 15). Senior
suicide: an overlooked problem. CMJA.
Retrieved from http://www.cmaj.ca/site/earlyreleases/15oct12_senior_suicide.xhtml
I found this post to be very interesting with regards to the prevalence of suicide among older adults. I was unaware that the stats indicated suicide is highest among men aged 85-89. I think that because of the age of these individuals it seems to be overlooked. There is so much awareness for youth, noone really thinks of this happening to older adults. Maybe it is more accepted at such an age because people view these individuals as coming to the end of their life as is, and many times illness has become an issue at these ages. I think people are more apt to empathize with the reasons for these individuals taking their lives. If someone is suffering an illness and their loved one is already deceased, I think many people would accepet the fact that the individual no longer wants to live. They have already lived a full life. I think these reasons may contribute to the fact that this tragic phenomenon is being overlooked.
ReplyDeleteAlissa B-mental illness group.
Suicide is a devastating matter regardless of the age of the victim. However, I find it heart breaking that the suicide of older adults is being so overlooked. Our society, myself included, only seems to address and raise awareness for teen and young adult suicide. I also find that the suicide of a young adult is often viewed as more of a tragedy as opposed to the suicide of an elder. Phrases such as, "They were so young" come into play with the news of a teenage suicide. A human life is a sacred thing, no matter the age. The loss of an elder should be viewed as equally woeful.
ReplyDelete-Jenna
This is a very interesting topic. You are right people usually think about youth when they think about suicide. I used to work in a retirement home and it never even crossed my mind that any of the residents thought about or tried suicide. Until one day one resident had gashes across her wrists. It then hit me that everyone is human and everyone goes through struggles and these elderly people are probably going through the worst struggle. Memory loss, not being able to care for themselves, being lonely. It broke my heart that this resident was so unhappy that she had to do that. It upsets me to read this post but it was a good one to blog about. It is an issue that is not talked about enough.
ReplyDeleteAlexandra