Older migrants suicide rates rise
Studies do exist that look into suicide rates among older people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, but recent claims suggest “not enough” money is being invested into research.
Studies do exist that look into suicide rates among older people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, but recent claims suggest “not enough” money is being invested into research.
Transcultural Mental Health Centre manager, Maria Cassaniti, recently told a parliamentary inquiry into multiculturalism that money needed to be invested after a review of data showed an increase in depression in older migrants upon reaching retirement age.
“The long and short of it is there have not been enough studies done or enough money invested,” Ms Cassaniti said.
Particularly evident in post-World War II migrants from Vietnam and Cambodia, Ms Cassaniti claimed many were not treated for mental-health problems, such as post-traumatic stress disorder when they first arrived in Australia – which may be as a result of not having the mental-health services available now.
“All of a sudden as they are hitting retirement, all their previous experiences come flooding back,” Ms Cassaniti said, adding older migrants are not as “productive” as they once were.
“They have time to think about these issues and we are finding an increase in depression,” she said.
Queensland’s Australian Institute of Suicide Research and Prevention is now completing a study looking at suicide rates among older culturally and linguistically diverse migrants. DPS News will report on this study’s findings in coming weeks.
