Older Wisconsinites have the highest suicide rate of any age group. Why don’t we talk about it?
Green Bay Press-Gazette | April 11, 2024
There’s a disconnect in how we respond to older people struggling with their mental health, says Sarah Endicott, DNP, RN, APNP, PMHNP-BC, GNP-BC, a clinical professor at UW–Madison focused on geriatrics. Some of that, she suspects, may be chalked up to ageism, which the World Health Organization defines as the stereotypes, prejudices, and discrimination toward others based on age.
“I don’t think it’s intentional, but the lower value we place on older adults in general, especially when it comes to end-of-life, I’m guessing that’s part of the cause,” said Endicott, who also works as a geriatric psychiatrist at Stoughton Hospital in Dane County.