Silent suffering: How age stereotypes contribute to elderly suicide
Journal of Mental Health and Aging, 7 (6):
01-02 (November 2023)Abstract
The twilight years of life, often associated with wisdom,
reflection, and well-earned serenity, should ideally be a time
of contentment and fulfillment. However, for many elderly
individuals, this period can be fraught with silent suffering,
driven by a perilous yet under discussed factor: age stereotypes.
The impact of age-related biases and misconceptions on the
mental health of the elderly cannot be overstated. It's a crisis
that demands attention and action. As a society, we often
subscribe to harmful stereotypes about the elderly, perpetuating
ageism in various forms. We sometimes underestimate their
abilities, discard their contributions, and marginalize their
voices. These stereotypes, whether subtly ingrained in societal
attitudes, media portrayals, or institutional practices, play a
pivotal role in how the elderly are perceived and treated. They
also contribute significantly to the alarming rates of suicide
among this demographic, where the suffering is often silent,
the cries unheard, and the struggles obscured.