Preventing Deaths by Suicide of Older Adults in Minnesota
By: Amy Lopez, MSW, BA and Melissa Heinen, MPH, BSN
Handout – Suicide Prevention -1 per page Handout – Suicide Prevention -3 per page
Related Research Article: Suicide Later in Life by Yates Conwell, MD
Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in America, yet it is preventable. Older adults (65 years and older) make up 12% of the US population and account for 18% of all suicide deaths. Men ages 85 and older have the highest rate (over four times higher) of any group in the country. Minnesota has experienced the highest number of deaths by suicide in 2015; though remained stable among males 65 years and older). Learn how we can prevent suicide among older adults.
Objectives- After attending this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Describe the prevalence, risk factors and lethality of attempts and deaths by suicide among older adults (65 and older) as it compares to other sub-populations.
- Share resources to your network on how to assess suicidal risk and how to take appropriate action to keep an older adult safe.
- Be an advocate for aging services, behavioral health and primary care providers to develop effective suicide prevention programs.
Melissa Heinen, MPH, BSN
Minnesota Violent Death Report System (MVDRS) Program Coordinator with the Injury and Violence Prevention Section at the Minnesota Department of Health.
Melissa has worked for the Northern New England Poison Center; the National Center for Health Statistics (NCSH) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); the Hennepin County (MN) Community Health Department and the United States Indian Health Service. She is passionate about using science-based public health prevention practices.
Amy Lopez, MSW, BA
Suicide Prevention Coordinator, Office of Injury and Violence Prevention, Minnesota Department of Health.
Amy’s passion in violence prevention has been demonstrated domestically and globally during her 20+ year career, serving the homeless, juvenile and adult offenders, gang members, and survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence and human trafficking.
Previously, Amy spent over ten years at Greater Twin Cities United Way managing grants and community initiatives in the areas of domestic violence and food insecurity.