Suicide in the elderly: a report from Japan.

Immediately after World War II, the suicide rates for all age groups in Japan rose tremendously. Today we find much lower overall suicide rates. In studying suicide rates, one important trend attracts attention, namely that suicide rates are much higher in the elderly than in the younger age groups. Physical diseases seem to be of paramount importance in explaining suicidal behavior in the elderly. Developments in the 1960s and 70s may have led to material satisfaction, but simultaneously to spiritual poverty, loneliness, and depression, especially in males.