Suicide rates reveal the silent suffering of Australia’s ageing men

All the key risk factors for suicide have become even more relevant due to COVID. Shutterstock^[5]

Read more: Drought increases rural suicide, and climate change will make drought worse^[6]

Preventable deaths

It is startling that men who have shown resilience to survive to late life are at such risk of preventable death. Many factors contribute, including physical and material circumstances like frailty, chronic pain, bereavement^[7] and financial troubles^[8]. However, we cannot assume only external issues cause distress and lead to suicide.

In fact, for older people, successful ageing is rarely defined purely by physical circumstances. Ageing well often implies flourishing despite hardship.

The silent challenge among men aged over 85 who take their own lives is psychological and existential distress, which can reinforce feelings of loneliness and worthlessness^[9]. Older men at risk of suicide may feel they are “no longer needed” or perceive themselves as “burdensome” to family and community.

These beliefs can overlap with major life transitions, such as retirement, stopping driving^[10] or moving to residential care, where they are a minority^[11]. Such stressful events can increase feelings of marginalisation, loss of independence and worthlessness, and also lead to social isolation.

Read more: How challenging masculine stereotypes is good for men^[12]

Talking about it

A reluctance to express their feelings or be vulnerable has long been discussed as an important factor for men’s wellbeing, especially when they’re feeling low.

Research suggests gender stereotypes and social norms linked to masculinity reduce help-seeking behaviours^[13] and can increase suicide risk^[14]. Many ageing men hold restrictive and stoic beliefs about what it means to be a man. This may make them less inclined to share^[15] when they aren’t coping.

Yet emerging research challenges the assumption^[16] men don’t talk because they can’t. One reason men are not talking about their mental health struggles is because there’s nowhere for them^[17] to open up in a way they see as culturally and socially acceptable.

Instead, older men are speaking through their actions.

Suicide prevention and early intervention responses that are not tailored to the needs of older men are unlikely to be effective. We need to meet men where they are and listen to their quiet and absent voices by designing programs in partnership with them.

This means better understanding men’s barriers^[18] to suicide interventions. These include a lack of trust in traditional services and an aversion to “formal” supports that frame emotional distress and suicidal behaviours as mental illness.

It also means exploring, developing and funding new options that are acceptable, relevant and accessible, such as gendered support, peer-led programs, community-based informal support and programs combining exercise with mental health promotion.

The objective is not only to develop more suitable suicide prevention for this specific group, but also to examine broader interactions between ageing, isolation and loneliness; all key risk factors^[19] for suicide that have become even more relevant due to COVID.

Read more: Friday essay: grey-haired and radiant – reimagining ageing for women^[20]

More calls for help

Increased feelings of distress and loneliness produced by the pandemic can be measured by increased calls to services such as Lifeline^[21]. And more persistent mental health problems are likely to present more slowly, over longer horizons^[22], and peak after the most acute phases of the pandemic.

Older people have handled much of the burden of COVID, including unprecedented restrictions and ageist sentiments^[23]. We must recognise these factors – growing old, being alone and feeling unheard - underpin increasing distress felt by men aged over 85, not only during the pandemic, but more generally.

This group must be seen as a priority population for suicide prevention. We must start listening and work together to find solutions so older men can access the help they need in a way that suits them.

UNSW Ageing Futures Institute would like to acknowledge the research contribution of Lifeline Research Foundation^[24]’s Dr Anna Brooks (National Manager) and Dr Tara Hunt (Research and Engagement Manager).

If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, you can call these support services, 24 hours, 7 days:

• Lifeline: 13 11 14

• Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467

• Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800 (for people aged 5 to 25)

• MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978

• StandBy - Support After Suicide: 1300 727 24

Read more https://theconversation.com/suicide-rates-reveal-the-silent-suffering-of-australias-ageing-men-187925