The suicide rate for the nation’s elderly citizens reached a record high in 2017, according to a new report by suicide prevention agency, Samaritans of Singapore (SOS). The number of individuals aged 60 and older who died from suicide last year was 129, the highest amount recorded, alarming both researchers and healthcare providers.
“These figures are a cause for concern,” said Christine Wong, Executive Director of SOS. “It is very worrying that many elderly are turning to suicide as the only choice to end their pain and struggles when they should be enjoying their luster of the golden years.”The trend among senior citizens is especially shocking given that suicides in the nation as a whole have been going down. In 2017, there were 361 suicides reported in all of Singapore, the lowest since 2012. The overall suicide rate is declining too, down from 9.14 deaths by suicide per 100,000 residents to 7.74 per 100,000 in 2017. But the latest numbers show that elderly suicides are going in the opposite direction, jumping by 123 percent between 2011 and 2017.
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Suicide rate lowest, but number of elderly suicide highest recorded
There were 361 reported suicides in Singapore in 2017, the lowest since 2012. From 2012 to 2016, the average suicide rate was 9.14 deaths by suicide per 100,000 residents. 2017 saw this rate dip to an all-time low of 7.74 deaths by suicide per 100,000 residents.
While the total suicide deaths is at its lowest in recent years, the number of the elderly aged 60 and above who took their own lives in 2017 has risen to 129, the highest recorded. The high prevalence of suicide mortality among the elderly is a worrying trend in Singapore. 2011 saw 361 suicide deaths recorded in Singapore as well. However, elderly suicides in 2017 was an alarming 123 per cent of that in 2011.
Ms Christine Wong, Executive Director of Samaritans of Singapore (SOS), expressed her concern, “It is very worrying that many elderly are turning to suicide as the only choice to end their pain and struggles, when they should be enjoying their lustre of the golden years.” The ageing population in Singapore is set to bring more challenges to current available social support services. There is imminent need for stronger support networks as the number of elderly Singapore residents living alone continues to increase.
Usage patterns of several SOS services indicated that increasingly more attention needs to be directed towards those aged 60 and above. SOS observed that the 24-hour hotline are favoured by the older demographic group. Of those who disclosed their age, 23 per cent of incoming calls to SOS were made by callers aged 60 and above in 2017. However, calls made by the elderly dropped by 18 per cent from 6,904 calls in 2016 to 5,652 calls in 2017. “These figures are a cause for concern, especially when the number of elderly suicides in this age group is at a record high. We need to find out the barriers that prevent them from getting through to SOS, and if they know where and what are the other available resources to seek help.” says Ms Wong.
Some common struggles cited by elderly callers were social disconnection, the fear of becoming a burden to family and friends, and impairments to daily functioning due to physical challenges and deteriorating mental health. These concerns predisposes socially isolated elderly to depression and suicidal thoughts when struggles go undetected and unaddressed.
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Elderly suicides in Singapore hit all-time high
The number of elderly suicides in Singapore has hit a record high, despite the total number of suicides dropping to its lowest since 2012. According to suicide prevention agency Samaritans of Singapore (SOS), 129 people aged 60 & above took their lives last year, making up 35.7% of the 361 suicides in total.
The figure is the highest recorded for this age group since tracking of suicide numbers began in 1991. It becomes more stark if one considers that last year's 361 suicides was 15.8% lower than 2016's 429 and that suicide numbers for all other age groups had fallen. SOS executive director Christine Wong said: "It is worrying that many of the elderly are turning to suicide as the only choice to end their pain and struggles, when they should be enjoying the lustre of their golden years.
"With the elderly population in Singapore increasing steadily, suicides in this population may be expected to continue rising." Also worrying is the number of calls made by seniors to the SOS 24-hour hotline showing a drop of 18% to 5,652 last year from 6,904 in 2016.
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Elderly suicides rose to all-time high in 2017; overall suicides the lowest in 5 years
Suicides among the elderly here rose to an all-time high in 2017, even though the overall number of suicides fell to its lowest in 5 years.
Figures provided by non-profit suicide prevention centre Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) showed that the number of elderly people aged 60 & above who took their own lives in 2017, increased to 129 – up from the 123 cases in 2016. It comes as the total number of suicides dropped to 361 in 2017, from 429 the year before.
Last year’s number was the lowest since 2012, when the number of suicides reached an all-time high of 467.
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Number of elderly suicides at all-time high: SOS
When Madam Tan (not her real name), a widow in her 90s, suddenly lost her son to a heart attack, she thought all hope was lost.
After all, he was the only close family member she had left. Furthermore Mdm Tan, a fall risk living in a rental flat, had lost all independence due to her limited mobility & weak legs. "Our care management team knew of her suicidal thoughts," senior social worker at Tsao Foundation's Hua Mei Mobile Clinic Jasmine Wong told Channel NewsAsia.
So, staff from the organisation's counselling & coaching team provided her with psycho-emotional counselling and therapy, and worked with neighbours and community partners to support her daily living.
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129 elderly suicides in 2017, record high for Singapore
Singapore saw its highest recorded number of elderly suicides in 2017, with 129 individuals aged 60 and above ending their lives. They accounted for more than a third of the 361 reported suicides in the Republic last year, said suicide prevention centre Samaritans of Singapore (SOS). Ironically, the total number of suicides was also at its lowest since 2012 – this amounted to 9.14 deaths by suicide per 100,000 residents.
In a press statement, an SOS spokesman called the elderly suicides a “worrying trend”, noting that the number of such cases in 2017 had more than doubled from 2011.
“It is very worrying that many elderly are turning to suicide as the only choice to end their pain and struggles, when they should be enjoying their lustre of the golden years,” said SOS executive director Christine Wong, who added that Singapore’s ageing population means there is an “imminent need” for stronger support networks.
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Number of suicides committed by the elderly hits record high as Singapore population ages
The number of elderly people taking their own lives reached a record high last year.
Some 129 people aged 60 & older committed suicide, despite the total number of suicides declining in the same year.
A total of 361 suicides were reported last year, 15%t lower than the 429 in 2016.
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SOS: “Very worrying that many elderly are turning to suicide as the only choice to end their pain and struggles”
The number of people committed suicide in 2017 reached the lowest since 2012, however, the highest number of elderly taking their own lives were recorded in 2017.
In its press release, Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) stated that there were 361 reported suicides in Singapore in 2017, the lowest since 2012.
It noted that from 2012 to 2016, the average suicide rate was 9.14 deaths by suicide per 100,000 residents and added, "2017 saw this rate dip to an all-time low of 7.74 deaths by suicide per 100,000 residents,"
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Why elderly S’poreans are committing suicide
New statistics just out reveal a troubling spike: More elderly Singaporeans are taking their own lives. The number of elderly aged 60 and above who committed suicide peaked at 129 in 2017.
This was the highest since suicide tracking started in 1991, the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) said on Monday, July 30.
This is of particular concern as senior suicides bucked the trend given that the total number of suicides have gone down overall.
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Number of elderly suicides at an all-time high, despite lowest overall suicide rates
According to a report released by the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) yesterday, the number of elderly the number of elderly aged 60 and above who took their own lives peaked at 129 last year.
Compared to 123 elderly suicides in 2016, last year saw six more. Elderly suicides also made up 36 per cent of a total of 361 suicides reported in 2017, whereas in 2016, senior suicides only made up 29 per cent of 429 suicides. Ms Christine Wong, Executive Director of SOS said, “It is very worrying that many elderly are turning to suicide as the only choice to end their pain and struggles, when they should be enjoying their lustre of the golden years”.
These statistics are rather startling despite many measures taken in order to cope with and to assist an aging population.
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Singaporean Elderly suicide hit record high
Unable to withdraw their CPF retirement fund and leading a life of abject poverty, Singaporean elderly are committing suicide to end their sufferings in Singapore. According to voluntary group Samaritans of Singapore (SOS), 129 elderly aged 60 and above committed suicide in 2017, the highest ever in record.
Most Singaporean elderly are unable to retire because CPF Withdrawal Age was increased from 55 to 65 years old, and its Minimum Sum nearly tripling from S$80,000 to S$181,000. The national retirement funds were deliberately delayed by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong who is stealing the CPF funds by channelling it to the sovereign wealth fund company GIC, where he sits as Chairman. The funds managed by GIC is called “government fund”, even though it comprises of the peoples’ retirement funds. The corrupted PM also abused his power to depress CPF interest rates at 2.5%, giving the lowest returns for an investment fund in the world.
In 2015, PAP NMP Chia Yong Yong made a parliamentary speech stating that CPF is not Singaporeans’ money, winning praises from dictator Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
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