Average 65 elderlies committed suicide

Marked drop in elderly suicide rate last year
Posted: 15 February 2007 2105 hrs

SINGAPORE: In the last five years, an average of 65 elderly people committed suicide each year in Singapore.

However, when the statistics for the last two years were compared, there was a marked drop in such suicides.

It went down from 77 cases in 2005 to 52 cases in 2006.

The elderly is defined as those above 65 years of age.

Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Dr Vivian Balakrishnan said the elderly suicide rate is 24 per 100,000 elderly residents, and this has been a relatively stable figure over the past five years.

National figures also show that male elderly suicide rates are consistently higher than that for females.

It is a conclusion that is consistent with research findings across different cultures.

Dr Balakrishnan gave the updates in his written answer to a parliamentary question raised by MP for Tampines GRC, Irene Ng.

As to the reasons for elderly suicides, Dr Balakrishnan said studies show that health problems and depression were the main reasons, and these apply to both genders.

- CNA/so

DannyBoyNow says:
You see the PAP MPs are just morons. All they did was just to metion the problem and then sweep it all down under the carpet.

QUESTION is, WHAT THE HELL ARE THEY DOING GOING TO DO ABOUT IT? Bringing out a problem and then expecting it to go away just like that?

WHERE ARE THE SOLUTIONS?

PAP are indebted to these elderlies who have slogged hard under a relentless system that continues to marginalise their importance. They were the KEY PAP supporters in the past and futhermore they have contributed to much of Singapore's rise as a nation.

FeiHK says:
The Lee regime views the elderly as a burden to the country. So in reality, they don't care a damn about it.