Suicide Prevention Among Rural Older Adults

Biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors can increase an individual's risk of suicide ideation, and the suicide rate is highest among people in late middle age and in the oldest old. Risk factors include prior suicide attempts, history of depression, lack of social support, hopelessness, prior traumatic events, and having access to lethal means. Rural-specific factors include shortages of trained professionals in aging services, difficulty accessing care, lack of transportation, and stigma associated with seeking mental health treatment. Paraprofessionals may be a path forward.