Suicide Risk Factors: Teens, Elderly, and Military Veterans

Teens, the elderly, and military veterans have disproportionately high rates of suicide. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-34, the fourth leading cause among people ages 34-54, and the fifth leading cause among people ages 45-54.¹ The suicide rate for veterans is 1.5 times higher than that of the general population.² Then suicide rates are higher among older adults, especially men.³ Understanding some of the special issues that these groups face can help keep you alert for problems. Keep the following cautions in mind, along with general warning signs and risk factors.

Elderly

They may be at greater risk because:³

• Increased loss and loneliness. Many of the changes that come with aging involve loss. Seniors may face retirement, death of loved ones, and loss of independence. Many elders find themselves more and more cut off from support and emotional connection. Without help, loneliness and sadness can contribute to thoughts of suicide.
• Losing sense of future and purpose. The feeling of hopelessness and thinking the days are numbered can develop into depression.
• Struggling with illness and pain. Chronic pain, health issues, and fear of conditions, such as Alzheimer’s, can spark depression. Depression may also be a side-effect of medication.⁴
• Signs of depression may be misread: Depression can make older adults confused or forgetful, which can be misdiagnosed as a memory loss problem or dementia. Pulling away from others and loss of joy may be wrongly thought of as normal in an elderly person.

Ways to Help

Don’t assume that being sad is a normal part of getting older—it's not. Try to have conversations that touch on emotions and feelings. Encourage activity and socializing. Watch for stockpiling of pills or interest in getting access to a gun. Share any concerns with your elder’s doctor.

Military Veterans

They may be at greater risk because:

• Adjustment issues. Getting used to civilian life after deployment can be extremely difficult, even if the person was not in combat. Along with adjusting to a different pace and focus, returning military must re-establish relationships and roles. They must find work and cope with any emotional and physical damage. It can be overwhelming.

• At risk for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The experiences, emotions, and impact of deployment can cause ongoing mental stress. For some, this results in a diagnosis of PTSD and a higher risk of suicide as a result.

Ways to Help

Returning from deployment is a process, not an event. Give returning vets plenty of time to readjust to civilian life. Watch for unusual focus on weapons or other aspects of their military role, such as wearing their uniform or part of the uniform, such as boots. Be alert for obsession with war news, visits to graveyards, or overprotectiveness. Use the special help offered to veterans and other professional support as needed.

Teens

They may be at greater risk because:

• Face more potential triggers. Teens are going through many emotional, mental, and social changes. At the same time, they face a high need to fit in. The stress of a new school, classes, bullying, gender identity concerns, or body image issues could be a trigger. Failing a test or a romantic breakup could be a tipping point.
• More reactive to triggers and act more impulsively. Compared to adults, who typically do more planning, teens are quicker to act when stressed. This can add to the risk when faced with more potential triggers.
• Vulnerable to imitation. Teens are more susceptible than adults to "suicide contagion” which means attempting suicide after learning of a suicide.⁵ Risk exists even if the teen didn’t personally know the person who committed suicide. In the intense aftermath of a suicide, they may interpret the action as an acceptable or heroic way to deal with distress.
• Warning signs may not be as clear. It’s normal for teens to go through emotional ups and downs. It may be more difficult to spot moods or behaviors that point to suicide. Poor grades, explosive anger, acting out sexually, or even boredom may actually be a sign of depression. Warning signs of suicide may include running away from home or doing risky things, such as driving while drunk or abusing drugs.

Ways to Help

Keep lines of communication open. Watch for changes. Trust your instincts. Seek help from a professional, such as a doctor or therapist, who can assess and treat your teen. If available to you, your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) can offer guidance and information on resources in your area.

Men

Many men experience depression, but some of the outward signs may be different from what you might expect to see. While both men and women feel the hopelessness of depression, women tend to express it as extreme sadness while men may appear angry and irritable.⁶ Men are also more likely to have problems sleeping and do risky things. They tend to escape into work or sports even though these activities have lost meaning. Men may have more physical symptoms, such as headaches, stomach problems, and unexplained pain.⁶ These symptoms may not match our expectations of what a depressed person looks like.

In addition, men are less likely than women to recognize, talk about, and seek treatment for depression.⁶ Instead, they may pull away from others and use drugs or alcohol. These unhealthy coping behaviors can increase the risk of suicide.