MANAGING ELDER SUICIDE - A PROFILE OF AMERICAN AND CANADIAN CRISIS PREVENTION CENTERS

Suicides among older adults in the United States and Canada in the las t decade have accounted for an increasing share of all suicides. In bo th countries the use of firearms among older adults has steadily incre ased. Despite these trends, little is known about the extent to which crisis centers are prepared to prevent elder suicide. a survey of AAS- listed crisis prevention centers examined the training, knowledge, and current practices relevant to elder suicide among personnel in 321 cr isis prevention centers in both countries. Results revealed insufficie nt training, a lack of familiarity with recent suicide trends, and lim ited outreach to older adults.