D. De Leo, Italy
Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia Australian Institute for Suicide Research and Prevention, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, AustraliaModerator of 1 Session
Proposed by the EPA sections on Old Age Psychiatry and Suicidology and Suicide Prevention -At advanced age, rates of males diverge even more from those of females. A better understanding of these factors may reduce the toll of suicide at these extreme ages as Prof. de Leo is going to discuss. Prof. Zeppegno will focus on the even twofold rate of suicidal behaviours when there is a chronic or terminal illness. Psychiatrists and geriatricians will likely meet mentally competent older adults expressing a wish to die: sometimes entangled with e.g.chronic illness, sometimes in the absence of terminal illness, but due to the feeling that they have already lived a completed life. The possibility of a "rational suicide" will be discussed. Prof. Stek is going to discuss the problem that in late life depression the clinical management of suicidality is often complicated by the presence of physical and neuropsychiatric comorbidity. Moreover, in The Netherlands the position of euthanasia in end of life choices may interfere with available diagnostic and treatment options. The challenges of well substanciated decision making in these situations will be discussed. Although interventions for suicide prevention are known, their relative effect for the elderly in general have not been explored. Prof. van der Feltz-Cornelis will discuss in her lecture what could be aspects of relevance for interventions in this specific age group. And finally Prof. Hegerl will show – at the example of a recent increase in gassing suicides – which role the media and especially the internet plays for the methods of suicide and what it could mean for suicide prevention.