Brookings Institution: Suicide Rates Are High and Rising Among Older Adults In the US

The SCAN Foundation has partnered with the Brookings Institution to explore behavioral health among older adults, this story reveals one of the first insights arising from this work. HEALTH AFFAIRS – In November 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported an increase in the age-adjusted suicide rate since 2021. The report details that in 2021 and 2022, people ages 75 and older had the highest suicide rate among all age groups, largely driven by males. This report is a salient indicator of the challenge of identifying and addressing suicide risk among older adults amidst the well-publicized mental health crisis in the United States. Underpinning this profound challenge are the direct connections between social isolation, neglect, and suicide. READ FULL STORY