Late Life Suicide: Prevention and Intervention

2016 Beyond the Basics in Suicide Prevention — Suicide Prevention, Intervention & Hope Across the Lifespan

Conference: Late Life Suicide: Prevention and Intervention

Susan Wehry, MD

Suicide prevention in older adulthood is made challenging by the high lethality of older adults’ suicidal behavior; few survive their first attempt to harm themselves. It is critical that professionals who work with older adults know what factors place older adults at increased risk for suicide, how to enhance protective factors against those risks, how to recognize warning signs and intervene early. Participants will also have an opportunity to reflect on the possible impact of the national movement to expand access to physician assisted suicide in the broader context of late life suicide. This interactive workshop will use actual life stories to frame our discussion and promises to be both thought-provoking and practical.