People over 65 who self-harm are at the highest risk of suicide, study reveals

It’s often thought of as a problem in young people, but a new study has shed light on the effects of self-harm on older people.

Researchers from the University of Manchester and Keele University have found that people over 65 who self-harm are more likely to die by suicide than other age groups.

In the study, the researchers analysed patient records in Greater Manchester, and found that 4,124 patients harmed themselves between 2001 and 2014, mostly by taking overdoses of medication.

Worryingly, people over 65 who self-harmed were found to be 20 times more likely to die an unnatural death, and 145 times more likely to die by suicide than people of the same age who hadn’t self-harmed.

The results also revealed that only 12% of older patients who self-harmed had been referred to a mental health service for aftercare.

What’s more, following a self-harm episode, 10% of those aged 65 and over were prescribed tricyclic antidepressants – which are toxic when taken in overdose.

Professor Nav Kapur, one of the authors of the paper, said: “We sometimes think of self-harm as a problem in younger people and of course it is. But it effects older adults too and the concerning issue is the link with increased risk of suicide.

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“Older people might be particularly vulnerable as they are uniquely exposed to issues such as bereavement, isolation and physical as well as mental illness.

“They also might fear the consequences of becoming a burden to their family or friends, or not being able to function from day to day.”

He added: “We hope our study will alert clinicians, service planners, and policy makers to the need to implement preventative measures for this potentially vulnerable group of people. Referral and management of mental health conditions are likely to be key.”

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