Commenting on research from Manchester University which found that older people, in particular men, were more likely to self-harm and commit suicide than younger people, but weren't being given the same support, George McNamara, Director of Policy and Influencing at Independent Age, said:
“Older men are unnecessarily dying and this new research underlines the fact. Recent focus has been on supporting younger men, yet last year in the UK, there were 869 suicides by men over 60, more than double the 423 men aged 15-24. As much emphasis must be put on supporting older men as younger men. The Government must ensure that appropriate interventions such as access to talking therapies and support from GPs must be made available to all older men.”