Recognizing the Signs: A Suicide Prevention Month Guide for Supporting Older Adults

Written by: Jinxiao (Ruby) Tan, LCSW, Certified Dementia Practitioner, MoCA Certified Rater, Brain Health and Caregiving Program Manager

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. For older adults, the warning signs of depression and suicide risk can look different than they do at other ages — and they can be easy to miss, especially in a culture where emotional struggles are often kept private. This guide draws on lessons from CASL’s community workshops to help families, friends, and caregivers recognize the signs and know what to do next. 

Mood naturally rises and falls at every stage of life, and older adults are no exception. But certain changes are worth paying closer attention to, especially when they last for more than 2 weeks. 

Behavioral signs to watch for include: 

• Losing interest in activities someone used to enjoy 

• Changes in sleep or appetite 

• Pulling back from social activities or gatherings 

Emotional signs include: 

• A growing sense of worry or hopelessness 

• Feeling like life has lost its meaning 

• Expressing that they feel like a burden to others 

• Stating no wants to be alive 

Sometimes the person going through a hard time isn’t the one who reaches out first. A few signs that someone close to you may be struggling include: 

• Increased irritability or big swings in mood 

• Giving away belongings that matter to them 

• A sudden sense of calm after a period of distress, or no longer showing up to things they used to attend 

• Talking about themselves as a burden to family or friends 

None of these signs on their own means something is seriously wrong — but noticing a pattern, and checking in with genuine curiosity rather than alarm, can make a real difference. 

It’s more common than many people realize for someone to have a passing thought like “I don’t want to be here anymore,” especially during a difficult stretch of life. Having that thought is not the same as acting on it, and voicing it out loud — to a friend, a family member, or a professional — tends to lower risk rather than raise it. If someone shares a thought like this with you, the most helpful response is often simply to listen without judgment and help them connect with support. 

Small, steady habits can make a meaningful difference in emotional wellbeing: 

• Talk to a safe person — a friend, neighbor, or social worker 

• Move gently — tai chi, stretching, or yoga 

• Build in small rituals that help relax — music, tea, prayer, or time in nature 

• Stay socially connected, even when it takes extra effort 

Counseling isn’t only for people in crisis or meaning people who are “crazy”. It can help with everyday adjustment, grief, stress, or simply finding a greater sense of meaning — and conversations with a counselor are completely confidential. 

You deserve to be cared for — and the person best equipped to care for you is you. Recognizing that you need support, and reaching out for it, is itself an act of self-care. 

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available: 

• A primary care doctor 

• CASL Behavioral Health: 312-791-0418 

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 911, go to the nearest emergency room, or call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7 in multiple languages. 

CASL’s Behavioral Health program offers counseling, case management, education and advocacy for individuals and families across Chicago’s Chinatown community. To learn more, contact CASL at 312-791-0418.