A 2021 surge in older American men taking their own lives contributed to a nationwide rise in suicides that year, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In a study released Wednesday, the CDC reported the number of men 55 and older taking their own lives jumped in 2021 to 13,655, for a rate of nearly 30 suicides for every 100,000 men in the category. Most of the deaths involved firearms.
That was more than twice the overall rate of 14 suicides for every 100,000 people in 2021, when the suicide rate rose 4% from the previous year after declines in 2019 and 2020.
“This report underscores the importance for people who work with, engage with, or are a part of older populations to be aware of the risks for suicide,” Matthew Garnett, a CDC statistician and co-author of the report, told The Washington Times. “The findings also highlight the need to understand risks and protective factors for suicide among older adults and how they might differ between older and younger populations.”
The CDC found suicides were highest among men 85 and older, who took their lives at a rate of almost 56 deaths for every 100,000 of them.
Among women, 7.8 out of every 100,000 aged 55 and older committed suicide, including 2.8 for every 100,000 aged 55 to 64. They relied almost equally on firearms and poisoning.
Suicides among older adults shot up faster than all other age groups from 2001 to 2021, the CDC reported.
Over that period, the suicide rate among older adults rose from 26.8 to 29.6 deaths for every 100,000 men 55 and older. The number grew from 7,152 to 13,655 suicides.
For women, the rate increased from 4.6 to 6.2 suicide deaths for every 100,000 aged 55 and older. The number of suicides rose from 1,558 to 3,264 over the same period.
The report did not explain the reason for the increases.
“Suicide is complex, with a wide body of research detailing a number of factors which may be applicable to older adult populations,” Mr. Garnett said. “Understanding what factors changed over time, and how they may have contributed to the increases reported here is important, and will require additional research.”
Some health experts interviewed by The Times cited chronic illness, physical disability, social isolation, depression and grief over the loss of loved ones as leading risk factors for suicides among older adults.
“The elderly are commonly affected by loneliness, especially since many of them live alone,” said Greg Lozano, a licensed professional counselor with Grow Therapy, an online mental health provider.“Additionally, they may stop reaching out to friends and family, leading to increased social isolation.”
Therapists said older adults and their loved ones should watch for changes in emotion and routine as signs they have reached a stage of despair and hopelessness that makes suicide seem like an option. Those signs include giving away possessions, reduced appetite, sleeplessness and using the phrase “if I wasn’t here” in conversation.
Public health officials recommended calling 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for help.
Monitoring the presence of firearms around older adults can also be useful, said Timothy Jansen, CEO of Community Crisis Services, a 988 call center in Hyattsville, Maryland.
“The increase in the stats is likely related to the prevalence of firearms,” Mr. Jansen, a longtime crisis counselor, said. “That would be the most significant difference in the last 20 years. The pandemic didn’t help.”
