Some ethnic or racial groups at higher risk of suicide. For every 100,000 people age 65 and older in each of the ethnic/racial groups below, the following number died by suicide in 2004:
- Non-Hispanic Whites — 15.8 per 100,000
- Asian and Pacific Islanders — 10.6 per 100,000
- Hispanics — 7.9 per 100,000
- Non-Hispanic Blacks — 5.0 per 100,000 R
Regardless of race, ethnicity or age, caregivers should look for the warning signs of depression that include extreme sadness, loss of interest, social isolation and unexplained weight loss.
What Research is Being Done?
NIMH-funded researchers designed a program for health-care clinics, to improve recognition and treatment of depression and suicidal symptoms in elderly patients. A recent study of the program showed that it reduced thoughts of suicide and that major depression improved.
Examples of other ongoing or recently completed NIMH-funded studies on topics related to depression and suicide in older adults include:
- Overcoming barriers to treatment for depression
- Improving adherence to treatment
- The relationship between other medical illnesses and depression
- Physical function and depression
- Depression treatment for depressed older adults in homecare
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Treatment services for depression
- Death rates of depressed older adults, compared to others
- Depression treatment for low-income older adults
- Depression treatment for caregivers of older adults
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), part of the National Institutes on Health (NIH) supports innovative science that will profoundly transform the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders, paving the way for a cure. Visit the organization online at http://www.nimh.nih.gov/.