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Cited by 246Suicide and Self-Harm StudiesPsychiatric care and mental health servicesTechnology Use by Older Adults

Suicide among the elderly: The long-term impact of a telephone support and assessment intervention in northern Italy

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De Leo, Diego, Buono, Marirosa Dello, Dwyer, Jonathan·2002·British Journal of Psychiatry
DOI 10.1192/bjp.181.3.226
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Abstract

Background: Previous short-term work reported fewer suicides among elderly users of a telephone helpline and emergency response service (the Tele Help–Tele Check Service). Aims: To examine long-term effects of the service on suicide in an elderly population of northern Italy. Method: The service provided twice-weekly support and needs assessment telephone calls and a 24 h emergency alarm service. Data from 1988 to 1998 allowed comparison of 18 641 service users with a comparable general population group of the Veneto region in Italy. Results: Significantly fewer suicide deaths (nOBSERVED=6) occurred among elderly service users (standardised mortality ratio (SMR) 28.8%) than expected (nEXPECTED=20.86; χ 2=10.58, d.f.=1, P < 0.001) despite an assumed overrepresentation of persons at increased risk. The service performed well for elderly females (nOBSERVED=2, SMR=16.6%, nEXPECTED=12.03; χ 2=8.36, d.f.=1, P < 0.001). Conclusions: The study confirms the initial promise of the Tele Help–Tele Check service over a much longer time period. Further research will clarify the apparent lack of benefit for elderly males.

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  • Several quasi-experimental studies of interventions designed to increase social connectedness suggest this is a promising strategy for reducing late-life suicide rates.

    “There are several quasi-experimental studies of interventions designed to increase social connectedness (i.e., the degree to which older adults are connected to family, friends, and their communities) with results suggesting that this is a promising strategy for reducing late-life suicide rates [13,23,24].”

    From A systematic review of social factors and suicidal behavior in older adulthood (2012) · cites this paper as [23]

  • During the Telehelp/Telecheck service's 11 years of operation, there were significantly fewer suicides among its clients than anticipated in the elder population of that region.

    “During the service's 11 year in operation there were significantly fewer suicides among its clients than were anticipated in the elder population of that region.”

    From Suicide in older adults (2011) · cites this paper as [65]

  • Further analyses found that the effect was only significant for women.

    “Further analyses found the effect was only significant for women, possibly because of the small numbers of men enrolled in the program and/or their resistance to a social outreach intervention of this nature.”

    From Suicide in older adults (2011) · cites this paper as [65]

  • The Telehelp/Telecheck service is a rare example of selective prevention targeting completed suicide in older adults.

    “The Telehelp/Telecheck service reported by DeLeo and colleagues represents a rare example of selective prevention in which completed suicide in older adults was the targeted outcome (65).”

    From Suicide in older adults (2011) · cites this paper as [65]

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Authors
De Leo, D., Buono, M. D., & Dwyer, J.
Affiliations
  • University of Padua (IT)
  • Griffith University (AU)
Venue
British Journal of Psychiatry
Publisher
Royal College of Psychiatrists
Published
2002-09
Volume
181
Issue
3
Pages
226-229
ISSN
  • 0007-1250 (ISSN-L)
  • 1472-1465
DOI
10.1192/bjp.181.3.226
OpenAlex
W1977687332
Cited by
246
References
27
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 11 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 19 · 2013: 19 · 2012: 16
FWCI
8.84
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
www.cambridge.org/core/terms (unspecified, 5602 d)
Locations
  • The British Journal of Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Griffith Research Online (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychiatric care and mental health services
  • Social Sciences › Demography › Technology Use by Older Adults
Keywords
suicide prevention, older adults, telephone helpline, emergency services, needs assessment, long-term effects, standardized mortality ratio, gender differences, Veneto
MeSH terms
Suicide Prevention, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Female, Humans, Italy, Male, Sex Factors, Suicide, Time Factors, Telemedicine

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