Data on Suicides and Attempted Suicides among Seniors above 60
Ministry of HealthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns a request by Mr Jackson Lam for statistics and psychosocial factors regarding suicides and attempted suicides among seniors, alongside details on existing prevention programs. Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung noted that while elderly suicide numbers have generally declined, comprehensive data on suicide attempts and breakdowns by race or housing type are not available. He identified key risk factors as relationship breakdowns, mental health conditions, and prior attempts, noting that suicide is multi-factorial rather than caused by a single issue. Support is provided through 24/7 crisis hotlines and the Silver Generation Office, which identifies vulnerable seniors for assessment and emotional support by community mental health teams. Seniors experiencing loneliness or social isolation are also referred to Active Ageing Centres for befriending services and participation in active ageing programmes.
Transcript
103 Mr Jackson Lam asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health (a) what are the suicide and attempted suicide rates among seniors aged 60 and above over the past five years, disaggregated by age, gender, race and housing type; (b) whether the Ministry has identified common psychosocial factors and if so, what are they; and (c) how existing mental health and social care programmes are tailored for elderly suicide prevention.
Mr Ong Ye Kung: My answer will also address the written Parliament Question raised by Dr Choo Pei Ling1, scheduled for a future Sitting. I would invite the Member to ask supplementary questions, if any. If the Question has been satisfactorily answered, it may not be necessary for the Member to proceed with the Question for future Sitting.
Data on suicide cases by age and gender among those aged 60 and above is publicly released in the Report on Registration of Births and Deaths by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority on an annual basis. Breakdown by race and housing type is not available. The annual number of suicide cases for elderly has generally declined over the last five years; male suicide deaths has been about double of female suicide deaths. There is currently no comprehensive data source for suicide attempts.
Suicide is multi-factorial and usually not due to any single cause. A recent study2 on suicide by the Institute of Mental Health had identified a combination of risk factors, such as relationship breakdowns, having a mental health condition as well as prior suicide attempts.
The national mindline 1771 and SOS Hotline 1767 provide 24/7 help and crisis support for those in mental distress, including seniors. The Silver Generation Office under the Agency for Integrated Care proactively identifies vulnerable seniors and connects them to community mental health teams for assessment, emotional support and counselling where needed. For those at risk of loneliness and social isolation, they are referred to Active Ageing Centres for active ageing programmes and befriending services.