Suicide in the Elderly: A Practitioner's Guide to Diagnosis and Mental Health Intervention

Abstract

There are few gaps and overlaps in this edited work. The chapters fit together to form a comprehensive review of the information and techniques relevant to the study, assessment, and management of suicidal risk in later life. Only the introduction and first chapter are concerned with demographic data. The latter also uses case material to profile those at risk, such as the divorced, alcoholic white male. The remainder of the nearly dozen chapters are generally practical for the clinician: assessment (depression, well-being, and suicidal risk), prevention (psychotherapy, stress management, and societal changes), and management (psychotropics, support groups, reminiscence, and creative therapies such as art, music, movement, etc). Both the editor and the chapter authors have performed their tasks admirably. The content is mostly state of the art, comprehensive, and useful. The review of geriatric psychotherapy and psychopharmacology is succinct without being skimpy. The reviews of the literature cite the major