0 a } 1 A Will to Live continued opportunity for employment and an in- creased rate of divorce among their parents. The forgotten majority Those in the age group of 15-24 aren't the only ones killing themselves. In fact, about 10,000 people over the age of 60 commit suicide every year. That's nearly double the suicides of teens and young adults. But you don't read about that very often. They are the forgotten majority. The suicide rate among seniors is nearly 20 per 100,000, more than 50 per- cent higher than the national average of all suicides. After a post-World War II de- cline in the number of senior suicides, that number is again increasing. You may think the majority of seniors committing suicide are doing so to save themselves the pain of a slow death due to a terminal illness, but that isn't the case. Most senior suicides occur because of depression and are not linked with terminal illness. Some factors that have been cited for the high number of suicides among sen- iors, especially males, is the loss of sta- tus and self esteem following retirement. "The majority of our patients have the diagnosis of depression," says Tom Bissonnette, clinical nurse manager of Mercywood Health Building's Older Adult Service. "Many older adults enter- ing a 'season of loss' have a difficult time dealing with those losses. Some of those losses may include work, family mem- bers and friends." According to Bissonnette, the inter- disciplinary team treating seniors at Mercywood concentrates heavily on post-discharge planning. It's very important for the seniors to know where they're going when they leave Mercywood, Bissonnette says. "There are a lot of senior support groups in this area," he says. "We show them where they can volunteer, where they can help out in the community After all, these folks are survivors. They've lived through the Great Depres- sion and World War II. We try to increase their self esteem. It's important for them to know they still have a lot to offer" Bissonnette points out that the new Mercywood Health Building opening on the Catherine McAuley Health Center campus will improve the treatment of older adults with mental health problems. "We are really looking forward to the new facility," he says. "The older adult unit is particularly fashioned for care of seniors right down to handrails in the halls and a special bathtub. In fact, the entire building is a mentally healthy en- vironment with its increase in natural lighting." Surviving The predominant question for the survivors following a suicide is "Why?" Callahan says that question, while always asked, is not always answered. Unlike other deaths, suicide brings with it an incredible amount of guilt for the loved ones of the victim. "The major task of survivors is to an- swer the question of 'why,' yet very often there is no answer to that question," Callahan sa's. "Sometimes the answer that is reached isn't satisfying for those involved. "It's perhaps the worst for parents of suicidal teens because generally they're no different than any other parents, yet 'Why me?' becomes the focus. It does seem that those who are able to satisfac- torily answer that question are best able to cope with the experience." The Health Center is sponsoring a lecture series at the Mercwood Health Building on depression and suicide. On Oct. 15, Catherine McAulev Health Cen- ter Psychiatrist Charles Krasnow, MD, will discuss adolescent depression. The lecture starts at 7 p.m. and is free. For more information, please call 572-4000. Callahan also runs a support group for survivors of suicide. For more infor- mation on the support group please call 663-3042. Outpatient treatment for de- pression and other emotional problems is also available from Mercvwood Mental Health Services at the same number. s. -Scott Adler 5 5 5 5 6 10 13 20 24 24 25 26 Hypertension screening Alzheimer's support group Intro to BE TRIM! Volunteering at CMHC- informational meeting Intro to PERSONAL STRESS MANAGEMENT Hypertension screening Volunteering at CMHC- informational meeting Hypertension screening Hypertension screening Health risk appraisals Cardiac spouse support group BREAST-FEEDING CLASS Maple Health Building Arbor Health Building SJMH Education Center SJMH Education Center SJMH Education Center SJMH Lobby SJMH Education Center Reichert Health Building Arbor Health Building Arbor Health Building Arbor Health Building SJMH Education Center Arbor Health Building Maple Health Building Arbor Health Building SJMH Lobby Reichert Health Building Reichert Health Building Reichert Health Building Arbor Health Building Arbor Health Building Arbor Health Building 8 a.m.- noon 1-3 p.m. 7-8:30 p.m. 10-11 a.m. 7-8:30 p.m. 4-8 p.m. 7-8 p.m. 1-3 p.m. 1-5 p.m. 1-5 p.m. 7-9 p.m. 7:30-9 p.m. (Call 572-3675 to pre-register) 7-9 p.m. 8 a.m.- noon 1-3 p.m. 4-8 p.m. 1-3 p.m. 1-3 p.m. 1-3 p.m. 7-9 p.m. 1-5 p.m. 1-5 p.m. 1 Alzheimer's support group 3 Hypertension screening 3 Alzheimer's support group 8 Hypertension screening 18 Hypertension screening 18 Glaucoma screening 18 Hearing screening 23 Cardiac spouse support group 29 Hypertension screening 29 Health risk appraisals Suicide and the Teenage Years Number of deaths 1,800 1,600 1,400 1,200 1,123 1,000 800 600 475 400 200 0 1960 1970 1980 Year Among American teenagers between ages 15 and 19, death by suicide has increased dramatically in the past three decades. 3- Completions 2.5 4 2- 5 6 6 7 7 Intro to SMOKE STOPPERS Alzheimer's support group Intro to BE TRIM! Intro to SMOKE STOPPERS Hypertension screening Alzheimer's support group Intro to BE TRIM! 1.s - SJMH Education Center Arbor Health Building SJMH Education Center SJMH Education Center Maple Health Building Arbor Health Building SJMH Education Center SJMH Lobby Reichert Health Building Arbor Health Building Arbor Health Building SJMH Education Center 0.5 7-8:30 p.m. 7-9 p.m. 7-8:30 p.m. 7-8:30 p.m. 8 a.m.- noon 1-3 p.m. 7-8:30 p.m. 4-8 p.m. 1-3 p.m. 1-5 p.m. 7-9 p.m. 7:30-9 p.m. (Call 572-3675 to pre-register.) ---i 12 Hypertension screening 15 Hypertension screening 26 Hypertension screening 27 Cardiac spouse support group 28 BREAST-FEEDING CLASS Although women outnumber men in suicide attempts, men complete suicides morefrequently. Statistically, the ratio is identical: three to one. 7