Exploring the use of telephone helpline pertaining to older adult suicide prevention: A Hong Kong experience

Abstract

© 2018 Elsevier B.V. Background: Older adults usually have a higher suicide rate than the general population. There are helpline services provided to older adults but limited studies have examined the suicidal risks among the users, and how those services could be used as a platform to engage older adults in suicide prevention. Methods: In regard to elderly suicide prevention, this study explored the potential usefulness and relevance of a telephone helpline service in Hong Kong, which had 106,583 users during 2012–2015. An estimation on the suicide rates of the users was made and compared with the general older adult population in Hong Kong. The users’ suicide risks and their associated factors were assessed by survival analyses and an estimation system on the users’ suicide mortality likelihood was also tested. Results: The suicide rates of both male and female users were more than two times higher than the general older adult population in Hong Kong. The users’ risks of suicides were greater at the early period of using the service; men, living alone, and having a history of mental illnesses were also associated with increased risks. Based on the identified factors, an estimation system was developed with a sensitivity of 0.73 and specificity of 0.54. Limitations: A secondary data analysis. Conclusions: By identifying a suicide risk profile and distinct telephone calling pattern among the users, early detection and a warning system should be implemented to allow timely intervention to reduce the number of older adult suicides in the community.