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Suicide in the elderly in Malaysia
Razuin Rahimi1, NorHayati Ali, Shahidan Md Noor
1Universiti Teknologi MARA, Faculty of Medicine, Cluster of Pathology Diagnostic and Research Laboratories, Sungai Buloh Campus, Jalan Hospital, 47000 Sungai Buloh, Selangor. razuin@gmail.com.
The Malaysian Journal of Pathology
|December 30, 2015
Summary
Suicide among older adults (65+) is a growing concern, with hanging being the most common method. Key stressors include loss, legal issues, financial difficulties, and physical illness.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- Forensic Medicine
Background:
- Suicidal ideation and hopelessness are sometimes normalized as part of aging, particularly with physical health challenges.
- The global population of older adults is rapidly expanding, indicating a potential rise in elderly suicides.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the characteristics and circumstances of suicides among individuals aged 65 and older in Malaysia.
- To identify common methods and contributing stressors in elderly suicides.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of all suicide cases aged 65+ recorded by the National Suicide Registry Malaysia (NSRM) in 2009.
- Review of autopsy reports and case records, examining demographics, methods, and antecedent stressors.
- Comparative analysis between genders, educational levels, and life events preceding suicide.
Main Results:
- 23 suicides (7.1% of total) were recorded among individuals aged 65-94.
- Males constituted nearly 70% of cases, with an average age of 73.
- Hanging was the predominant method (56.5%), followed by jumping from height and chemical exposure.
Conclusions:
- Elderly suicide in Malaysia is a significant issue, predominantly affecting males and often linked to stressors like bereavement, legal/financial problems, and physical illness.
- Understanding these factors is crucial for developing targeted suicide prevention strategies for the aging population.