University of Strathcylde

People’s experiences of suicide thought in later life

What we’ve done and how it embodies Time Space Compassion

We have been focusing on research on suicide in later life and exploring some of the unique and complex experiences faced by individuals when compared with other population groups. 

We aim to bring more attention to some of the gaps and limitations of interventions for older adults in suicide prevention and postvention as well as enhancing their voice within suicide research. 

This poster shares findings from one exploratory study which aimed to identify potential barriers and enablers in discussing suicide thoughts and their expression in later life from the perspectives of lay older people. 

We explored where opportunities might occur in approach, place, relationships and language used to talk about suicide thought. 

In-depth qualitative interviews with 15 people aged 70-89 years enabled us to identify intergenerational and socio-cultural differences in suicide expression; an understanding of how and why suicide thoughts in later life can become normalised and the importance and difficulties of everyday discussion about a topic that remains taboo and hidden.

Participants revealed the importance of authentic listening within everyday caring relationships with people in later life especially where colloquial or off-hand comments can be made but which indicate existential loneliness and suicide thought. 

The findings highlight the value of responding with time and compassion and how professionals and providers of care can actively frame opportunities for screening, assessment and signposting for people who want to access support. 

There is a need to expand psycho-social support for people in later life including access to talking therapies, opportunities for peer support and learning, alongside addressing the wider impacts of ageism.  

Who we worked with

Within the ageing community we have worked more widely with bereavement support services and ageing care services to help reach individuals in the community. 

We also worked with a digital artist to generate imagery from our research and have developed a small exhibition on the wider work on suicide and later life which can be hosted in public places to raise awareness.

How people felt

Many of the people we interviewed said that this was the first time anyone had actually asked them about this topic. Even though some found it common to discuss it with their peers, they felt that it was very difficult to talk about with professionals and their own families and their expectations were low in terms of being taken seriously or being able to get meaningful support.  

What we learnt

We have made a short film from the findings of this research which is freely available on YouTube. This can be used to discuss the issues in your team or service. It is important to try and find space and the right words to use with people who may make throwaway and other comments that indicate suicide thought and follow this through.

What difference it made

Professionals and providers of care that we have shared this research with have recognised how difficult they find it to talk with older people on this topic as they feel helpless and also acknowledged that this issue isn't always given the same priority as with older people. 

The findings have been used in training to support the workforce in thinking about how to listen, give space and respond compassionately and specifically on the implications for signposting to low level psycho-social interventions. We have also embedded it into a wider CPD programme on suicide and later life.

Suicide prevention strategies are beginning to develop interventions that target ageing and suicide and can think more about co-design with this population in the context of wider anti-ageism work.

References 

Hafford-Letchfield T, Hanna JR, Ellmers TJ, Rasmussen S, Cogan N, Gleeson H, Goodman J, Martin S, Walker P, Quaife M. (2022) Talking really does matter: Lay perspectives from older people on talking about suicide in later life. Frontiers Psychology 16(13),e1009503.