Suicide rate high among elderly

BANGKOK, Feb 27 (TNA) -- The suicide rate in older adults is second highest in Thailand for several years, mostly resulting from relationship problems, chronic illnesses and depression, said the Director-General of the Mental Health Department. The elderly have some of the highest rates of suicide in the population. Director-General of the Department of Mental Health, Dr Boonruang Triruangworawat said about 4,000 people committed successful suicides each year. Among them, the working group accounts for the highest number, followed the elderly. Three major causes of suicide in the elderly are related to relationship problems with families, chronic diseases and depression respectively, he added. Fifteen per cent of persons of those who made suicide attempts are likely to do it again. The elderly are likely to be under stress and less happy and more worried as their health become deteriorated and cannot work efficiently. The department has tried to prevent repeated suicide by increasing more channels for access to counseling services such as the hotline 1323 and the application “Sabaijai”. It also collects information of persons with suicide attempts in the ministry’s database and has developed evaluation tools to screen at-risk groups. (TNA)