International Day of Older People 2025 – Talking about self harm and older people
The “Don’t Brush It Under the Carpet” campaign in Greater Manchester (see https://shiningalightonsuicide.org.uk/olderpeople/ ) aimed to encourage conversation and challenge stigma about older people’s mental health difficulties. In the second phase of this work partners, including NHS GM, GMMH and the Mature Minds Matter lived experience group, have collaborated to create information booklets for older people and carers and loved ones providing information about self-harm.
On 1st October, the annual United Nations International Day of Older People, these booklets are launched to continue to raise awareness of the opportunities and challenges faced by ageing populations, and to inform and mobilise the wider community to address difficulties faced by older people.
It is well documented that older people are less likely to be able to access mental health support than younger adults and that self-harm is commonly thought to be experienced mainly by younger adults. However, older people may also experience self-harm, with both similarities and differences compared to younger people; older people who self-harm are more likely to end their life by suicide and less likely to receive support around their self-harming behaviour. These two booklets contain information about what is meant by self-harm, how this might look different for older people, reasons it might be difficult to talk about self-harm and where people can get support. The booklet for professional carers and loved ones also gives information on how to talk to older people about self-harm.
These information booklets are available to download free of charge at the Shine a Light on Suicide website (see website link Launch of self harm in older people resources – Shining a Light on Suicide).
Please do share this information and the booklets far and wide – on this International Day of Older People 2025 let’s ensure the important conversation about older people’s mental health continues!
