Differences between the suicidal behavior of younger adults and the elderly are reviewed, and their implications for suicide prevention efforts examined. Elderly suicides use more lethal methods, are more often diagnosed with affective disorder and organic brain syndrome, and have experienced less recent stress than younger adults. It is concluded that psychiatric treatment of depression and restricting access to lethal methods for suicide are more useful tactics for suicide prevention programs in the elderly, and that crisis counseling from suicide prevention centers and educational programs are more useful in younger adults.
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