Evaluation of geriatric suicides in Turkey


ÖZER E., Guemues B., Balandiz H., KIRCI G. S., Aydogdu H. I., TETİKÇOK R.

JOURNAL OF FORENSIC AND LEGAL MEDICINE, vol.44, pp.158-161, 2016 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 44
  • Publication Date: 2016
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.jflm.2016.10.016
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF FORENSIC AND LEGAL MEDICINE
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.158-161
  • Keywords: Suicide, Geriatrics, Forensic medicine
  • Karadeniz Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Introduction: Suicide is defined as an individual taking action towards themselves with the intention of terminating their own life. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 800,000 deaths per year worldwide are due to suicide. In 2012, suicide cases constituted 1.4% of all the deaths worldwide. In most countries throughout the world, the suicide rates of the elderly are higher than those of other age groups. Epidemiological studies have concluded that suicide rates increase with advancing age in all societies, this increase accelerates after the age of 65 years and the highest rates are reached after the age of 75 years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the demographic features, suicide methods and reasons for suicide in geriatric suicide cases between 2009 and 2013 using the data of the Turkish Statistics Institute (TUIK).