SUICIDE IN THE OLDER POPULATION: DIFFERENCES ACROSS BRAZILIAN REGIONS

Abstract

Objective: To analyze suicide mortality among older adults in Brazil from 2010 to 2024, emphasizing temporal evolution, age groups 60–69, 70–79 and 80 years or older, and territorial differences. Method: Ecological descriptive time-series study using data from the Mortality Information System (SIM/DATASUS). Deaths from intentional self-harm (ICD-10 X60–X84) among people aged 60 years or older were grouped into 2010–2014, 2015–2019 and 2020–2024. Absolute and relative frequencies and percentage variation were calculated. Results: There were 7,966 deaths in 2010–2014, 10,722 in 2015–2019 and 14,188 in 2020–2024, an increase of 78.11%. Adults aged 60–69 accounted for more than half of deaths in all periods. Hanging, strangulation and suffocation (X70) was the leading mechanism, increasing from 5,054 to 9,827 deaths. The share of older adults among all suicides rose from 15.68% to 17.84%. National territorial evidence indicates persistent regional heterogeneity. Conclusion: The increase in deaths and territorial heterogeneity reinforce the need for age-specific prevention, risk surveillance, mental health care and stronger social support networks.