#024 - In honor Suicide Prevention Week, I'm devoting today's podcast episode to older adults and suicide. More specifically, what puts older adults at risk of suicide and how you can help.

You may be surprised to hear that older White men over 85 are at the greatest risk and have the highest rates of suicide - more than any other age group. 

But, here’s the thing, older adults are too often left out of conversations when it comes to simple things like assessing for depression, assessing for suicide, and then connecting older adults to the appropriate mental health care. As a result, most older adults with mental health concerns are treated in primary care settings, rather than mental health settings. 

Here's where you come in.

In today's episode, I share facts about older adults and suicide, including what increases risk for suicide in older adults, and several strategies for helping older adults at risk for suicide

Here's a peak inside the episode:

• [02:03] Older White men over 85 have the highest rates of suicide, more than any other age group. Where this highest risk group is most likely to get mental health care will surprise you.
• [04:59] Learn the mindset shift we need to make on the value we place on older lives and the toll this takes on mental health. 
• [05:10] To illustrate the experience of being an older adult who balks against the notion of being disposable based on age, I share an article written by 90 year old, Varda Yoran.
• [14:28] Learn the most prominent risk factors related to older adults and suicide. 
• [18:58] I share about an interpersonal process group I led for 7 years for older men at increased risk for suicide. 
• [22:36] There are many quick and simple strategies for reducing risk of suicide in older adults. Simply listening to this episode and choosing one strategy will go a long way.

Click here to listen!

Check out the show notes here!

A quick but important disclaimer:

I will be talking about suicide and suicide prevention. Suicide is a very sensitive topic and so if this topic is triggering or is very intense for you, please consider whether or not it's healthy for you to listen to this particular podcast on this particular day. If you do choose to listen, please consider listening with a friend or calling a friend afterward. If you need to talk about it and process it.

Rate and Review Psychology of Aging Podcast with Dr. Regina Koepp

If you're on Apple Podcasts, help me help others by rating and reviewing my show. Reviews let others- just like you- care for the older adults in their lives.

It's simple:
1. Just click here
2. Scroll down to "Ratings and Reviews" 
3. Tap or click "Write a Review"

I read them all. Thank you!

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