These people and others like them see suicide as the only solution. But feelings can be changed, and suicide can be prevented. Suicide is not caused by any one factor, but likely by a combination of them. Suicide is often a result of depression, loss of self-esteem, and inability to see a positive future. Any combination of these factors may lead an older individual to consider suicide as a solution to a problem or crisis that causes much emotional pain.
Depression is considered to be a highly common cause of suicide.
About 75 percent of those individuals who commit suicide are depressed. Depression is caused by a number of factors, from chemical imbalances to psychological make-up to environmental influences. Recognizing the Signs. Most cases of suicide in older adults are not impulsive, and therefore there is time to help a potential victim. What to Do.