PROJECT: SUICIDE AND THE ELDERLY - NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH - SEPTEMBER 2025
- Isabel Spies
- Sep 15
- 7 min read
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September is National Suicide Prevention Month.
This is a crucial time to once again raise awareness, promote dialogue, and advocate for mental health support.
It is also an important reminder to recognise the signs of mental health distress and the power of intervention,
hope and solidarity.
Suicide is a serious public health problem and can have long-lasting effects on family, friends and the community.
Immediate loss through suicide can lead to emotional, psychological and economic burdens.
The estimated suicide rate in South Africa is 23.5 per 100 000 and the estimated death rate is 14,000 per annum.
South Africa ranks as the third-worst country on the continent, closely followed by Lesotho and Eswatini.
Age and gender impact suicide risk; for instance, in South Africa, suicide has been rated the fourth leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 24. This highlights a devastating mental health toll on young people.
Men are four to five times more likely to commit suicide than women.
Men who commit suicide also tend to use more violent methods, for instance, to shoot, stab or jump to their death.
Women tend to report twice as many suicide attempts as men.
Women who commit suicide are more likely to use passive methods, for instance, the use of overdose pills or gas.
The elderly are considered a vulnerable group in South Africa, especially with regard to suicide.
This is caused by a combination of social, economic, health, and psychological factors that increase
their risk of depression, hopelessness, and self-harm.
South Africa’s unique socio-economic challenges intensify these risks.
WARNING SIGNS OF SUICIDE:
Sudden withdrawal from social activities.
Mood changes.
Declining self-care and hygiene.
Expressions of hopelessness/helplessness.
Depression.
Anxiety.
Substance use.
MOST COMMON METHODS OF SUICIDE:
Hanging.
Poisoning.
Firearms.
Knives.
Overdose.
Jumping from buildings or bridges.
ALARMING INCREASE IN SUICIDE RATES:
Current data from Discovery Life’s latest claims report reveals that suicide has now overtaken motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of unnatural death among the insurer’s clients.
Suicide makes up 35% of these claims, well ahead of fatalities due to road accidents (23%), crime (17%), trauma (10%) and other accidents (15%).
This trend is particularly evident in older age groups.
Among clients aged 50 and older, related claims increased by 62% in 2024 compared to the previous five-year average.
In the 41-60 bracket, suicide accounted for 45% of all unnatural death claims.
SADAG reports that older adults have one of the highest suicide rates in South Africa, particularly for men over 65.
Hanging and poisoning are the most common methods.
Globally, suicide rates among the elderly are two to three times higher than among younger populations, and South Africa reflects this trend owing to its socio-economic disparities.
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS RELATED TO THE ELDERLY COMMITTING SUICIDE:
1. SOCIAL ISOLATION AND LONELINESS:
Many elderly individuals experience social isolation, especially after the death of a spouse, friends, or family members.
In South Africa, urbanisation leads younger generations to migrate to cities for work, leaving elderly relatives alone in rural areas.
Lack of regular contact and emotional support contributes to feelings of abandonment and loneliness, both key suicide risk factors.
Studies show that older adults who lack strong social ties are twice as likely to attempt suicide compared to those with supportive networks.
2. CHRONIC ILLNESS AND PHYSICAL DECLINE:
Ageing brings higher rates of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, heart disease, and dementia.
Physical pain, disability, and loss of independence can lead to despair and depression.
In South Africa, limited access to healthcare, especially in rural areas, worsens these conditions.
Elderly people struggling with untreated or poorly managed illnesses may view suicide as an escape from constant suffering.
3. ECONOMIC INSECURITY AND POVERTY:
Many older South Africans depend solely on the state old-age grant, which is often insufficient to meet basic needs.
Financial struggles cause shame, stress, and feelings of being a burden to family members.
In cases where pensions are misused or stolen by relatives, elders may be left destitute, increasing their sense of helplessness and suicidal ideation.
According to Stats SA, more than 40% of elderly households rely exclusively on the government pension grant, leaving them vulnerable to poverty.
4. ELDER ABUSE AND NEGLECT:
Elderly individuals are at risk of physical, emotional, and financial abuse, often from family members or caregivers.
Abuse contributes to feelings of worthlessness and trauma, leading to depression and suicidal thoughts.
In South Africa, cases of pension fraud, theft, and neglect are common, especially in low-income communities.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 1 in 6 older people experience some form of abuse globally, with rates being higher in countries with deep socio-economic inequalities like South Africa.
5. DEPRESSION AND UNDIAGNOSED MENTAL ILLNESS:
Depression is the leading mental health factor linked to suicide among the elderly, but it is often underdiagnosed.
Symptoms of depression in older adults are sometimes mistaken for “normal ageing” by families and even healthcare providers.
Cultural stigma around mental health in South Africa discourages the elderly from seeking help, leaving them untreated and at higher suicide risk.
According to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), mental health services for older adults are extremely limited, particularly in rural areas.
6. BEREAVEMENT AND LOSS OF PURPOSE:
Losing a spouse, close friends, or siblings leads to profound grief.
Retirement often brings a loss of identity and purpose, especially for those who had strong ties to their careers or family roles.
Without meaningful social roles or activities, many elderly people experience existential despair, which can trigger suicidal ideation.
7. ACCESS TO LETHAL MEANS:
Elderly people in South Africa, especially in rural areas, may have easier access to lethal means such as pesticides, firearms, or traditional poisons.
This access increases the risk of suicide attempts being highly lethal and often fatal, making prevention more challenging.
8. CULTURAL AND GENERATIONAL STIGMA:
Many older individuals were raised in environments where mental illness was not discussed, and seeking psychological help was seen as a weakness.
This cultural stigma often prevents them from expressing their struggles, which means that warning signs go unnoticed until it is too late.
Suicide among the elderly may also be misreported or hidden, especially in communities where it is considered shameful.
SUICIDE PREVENTION:
One of the critical aspects of suicide prevention is breaking the stigma that surrounds mental health struggles.
Those who are thinking of committing suicide feel isolated or misunderstood.
Therefore, it is very important to discuss the feelings with these persons and support them to create a more supportive environment.
Education is a key component in suicide prevention.
Learn to recognise the warning signs of someone who could commit suicide.
Signs to observe include changes in behaviour, withdrawal from social activities, and expressions of hopelessness.
Know how to approach these situations.
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) runs mental health education programmes.
Support systems and groups are vital in the prevention of suicide.
It is of utmost importance to maintain strong relationships with these persons.
Help them to make contact with mental health resources, counselling services and support groups.
EVERYONE HAS THE CAPACITY TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT.
TOGETHER WE CAN BREAK THE SILENCE SURROUNDING SUICIDE.
The elderly are particularly vulnerable to suicide in South Africa because of a complex interplay of isolation,
poverty, health challenges, and lack of support services.
SUICIDAL THOUGHTS MIGHT INVOLVE:
Thinking you are going to feel this way forever.
Making plans for ending your life.
Thinking about killing yourself.
Feeling or thinking you are worthless.
Having urges to hurt yourself.
Feeling like there is no end in sight to the pain you are feeling.
An unbearable amount of emotional pain that you can't imagine will ever go away.
Wanting to disappear.
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