Why do you think the highest suicide rate of all is of men approaching 50?

[RR64]

Why do you think the highest suicide rate of all is of nen approaching 50?

Surely this needs to be addressed?

YABU

…

but look if you want a debate (and there’s a Chat forum, a Health forum, etc.. )

then I mean, Google the reasons. They’re all out there I’m sure

I’ll hazard a guess

• Divorce and stress outcomes of it (plenty of males that age are divorcing)
• Financial worries
• Realisation of one’s life outcome
• Loneliness (not every bloke has stereotypical drinking buddies or golf makes etc)

Oh look…. There’s the bitter one

that probably sounded funnier in your head @Pixiedust1234

How can you make such a terrible comment about people committing suicide.

Unfortunately these days men are increasingly disposable. Nothing will be done as basically nobody really cares. Each is no doubt a personal tragedy for thosr affected but as a whole we (society) aren't that bothered.

This is vile.

@Pixiedust1234

You should be ashamed

You really should!

I know quite a lot of men in this age bracket - I have come to realise that the male mid life crisis is definitely a thing.

I don't really know why it is tbh.

Maybe it’s more that the rates of other groups has dropped

What do you mean by 'increasingly disposable'?

Because their parents die and they don’t have an emotional outlet (only one reason possibly)

Utterly vile 🙄

Looks go
Sexual performance goes/changes
DC flying the nest
Career plateaus
Old age fast approaching
Losing parents/siblings

Those are more particular to that age group

I assume their families would be upset

Is it really?

I always thought GP and dentists & other professions had highest suicide rates after young men aged 18-30

But covid has turned a lot of suicide stats in their heads

Can see why divorced middle aged men might be hugest suicide rates as women who are resident parents of children don't get time to think deeply about their own lives.,,

It's very sad

More women that age attenpt suicide. However, men tend to use more violent and terminal methods.

It's a complex issue that doesn't have one simple answer. Loneliness is likely to be a factor, especially for those who are divorced and whose children are grown. It's an age when you're likely to lose your parents. The weight of having to make sure you provide financially for you and your partner in retirement, which is looming (statistically in a couple it's the man who doesn't sacrifice his career for children and therefore is likely to suffer greater financial pressure). Serious health problems start to make themselves known; this is the age my father was diagnosed with Parkinson's, as one anecdote for you.

Lack of proper friendships and not being able to be brutally honest about feelings? I burst into tears today in front of two friends. I'm not sure mrn feel they can do that. You cry, your friend gives you some advice, you feel a bit of pressure release. Not so easy if your a bloke I'm sure.

This is an interesting read, the challenges of male friendships

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2Q38zCbhfYWhGvzC3NlzjPq/i-realised-i-had-no-male-friends-here-s-what-i-did-about-it-and-what-i-learnt-from-women

This is very true I remember learning about this statistics a as a student mental health nurse in the 90,s
Men of all ages tend to choose more violent ways if suicide and more guaranteed where as women choose ways where' they are more likely to survive of be saved

It’s a worthwhile question.

Now that I’m a bit older, I can see that men leaving wives in their 40s - often for a new younger version - is largely a backlash against being middle aged. It doesn’t always work out so well personally. Professionally they can feel usurped as the younger generation pass them by.

In contrast I think women come into their own after 45/50 when the intense child rearing days are done. They often pick up their careers or interests again, seem full of life, and are much less bothered by career politics.

Tiani
It is. It's been that way for a long way too. Middle aged man have experienced the highest suicide rates for a long time. The reality and what is reported in the news are often not the same.

People want to reduce suicide but they don't want to talk to the slightly irritating abrasive person who has become isolated, probably because of trauma; or value someone even though they are a straight white male over 50; or rehabilitate offenders and find roles in society. I agree that divorce, bereavement, redundancy and possibly falling testosterone levels might all collide in that age group.

It's a very difficult age for men and women. You realise that you have probably lived more than half of your life. By this age you have collected a lot of experiences and can be carrying them all in a very heavy sack on your back. Some of your family and friends are dead, dying or facing terminal and very serious illnesses. This makes you scared about getting older. You worry that you are about to be thrown on to the scrap heap at work due to your age. You feel depleted and tired. You feel that time is running out to try new careers. Unless you are financially very secure you feel trapped by your circumstances.

I appreciate that each age group has its challenges but there is definitely a truth to the 'crisis' of middle age.

This is making me very worried about soon to be exDH.