Suicide Prevention: Collaborating with Older People in Independent Living Units

The Suicide prevention" Collaborating with older people in independent living units paper1 covers new ground for Wesley Mission and is a practical example of the use of expertise in research, caring for older people, mental health service provision and in suicide prevention to develop integrated care. The decision to initiate research was prompted by direct evidence that the highest age-specific suicide rate in Australia is men aged 85 years and over, compared to all other age and gender groups" 32.9 per 100,000 persons. This group rate accounted for 2.7 per cent of all male intentional self-harm deaths in 2018, while comprising less than 1.6 per cent of the male population. Older adults in Australia are also exposed to a range of risk factors, which can increase vulnerability to suicide.