Citation

Minder J, Harbauer G. Schweiz Arch. Neurol. Psychiatr. 2015; 166(3): 67-77.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Zeitschriften)

DOI

10.4414/sanp.2015.00326

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Switzerland has one of the highest suicide rates in the world. As in many neighbouring countries, the statistical graphics up through 2008 from the BfS (Federal statistical office) depict the Hungarian Pattern, marked with a significant rise from the age of 70. The BfS stopped including assisted suicide in the suicide statistics in 2008. This translates into a smaller rise in later graphics, though it has not completely disappeared. At the same time, the rate of assisted suicide has risen considerably since 2008, particularly amongst the elderly. When considering both assisted suicide and suicide rates overall, the older segment of our society thus remains the hardest hit. The reasons for assisted suicide amongst the elderly do not necessarily or evidently differ from those for elderly suicide, as the latter phenomenon is termed and statistically recorded. Suicidal tendencies amongst the elderly exhibit particularities that suggest an undefined overlap between the psychopathological term "suicide" and the newly coined term of supposedly "healthy" assisted suicide, which signals the need for urgent investigation. This article pursues such reasons, whilst presenting links with preventable and treatable risk factors, the relation to societal values and the thus ensuing challenge. Prevention and therapy are worthwhile and approaches do exist, but must urgently be expanded upon. It is also particularly crucial that research be stepped up in this domain. There is urgent need for investigations aiming to compare the two groups of elderly persons who commit suicide and assisted suicide, respectively. Moreover, it is of utmost relevance to strike an appropriate balance in public discussion of the issue. © 2015, EMH Swiss Medical Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Language: de

Keywords

human; suicide; Review; assisted suicide; Suicide prevention; risk factor; clinical research; Switzerland; Assisted suicide; Elderly suicide; Elderly depression; Values; Suicide therapy