Suicides highest among those in their 50s

The Star

Monday, 15/07/2013

PEOPLE aged 50 to 59 made up the largest proportion of suicide victims in Singapore last year, new figures show.

Last year, 57 men and 38 women in this age group took their lives.

There was also a worrying rise in suicides among people in their 60s and older.

“Those in their 50s experience significant life changes,” said Gleneagles Hospital psychiatrist Adrian Wang.

“They might be retrenched or have their jobs taken over by younger colleagues or they might experience the empty-nest syndrome when children leave home. Marriages might also take a turn for the worse because of these factors.”

Multiple stress-points could trigger depression and lead to suicide if the person cannot cope, he added.

People in their 50s have been among the top three age groups with the most suicides for four of the past five years. Suicide numbers among those aged 40 to 49 have also been significant.

Two out of three among all who killed themselves last year were men. Professor Kua Ee Heok, senior consultant psychiatrist at the National University Health System (NUHS) said men who live alone, have money problems and have poor social support are more prone to ending their lives.

Dr Alex Su, chief of general psychiatry at the Institute of Mental Health, said male rates have traditionally been higher because when they attempt suicide they use more extreme methods with a higher likelihood of guaranteeing death.

As for women, relationship problems are often a cause for depression.

Rachel Lee, assistant director of Fei Yue Community Services, said: “Many women in their 40s and 50s come to us with marital issues. It could be a combination of relationship problems and physical changes like menopause. Those with good support or fulfilling relationships with their friends or children tend to cope better.”

The total number of suicides hit at least a 20-year high at 467 last year, national statistics show. — The Straits Times / Asia News Network