Why males aged 45 to 64 are most at risk of suicide

Risk Factors:

In times of economic recession male suicides in this age group go up, particularly in regions hardest hit by a downturn. Middle-aged men are most vulnerable to losing their job and not getting another one. Men of this age are more likely to view their job and their status as a 'breadwinner' as a keystone of their identity. Losing this can heavily impact their self-esteem.

Another factor is divorce - divorced men are three times more likely to attempt suicide than married men. This is thought to be because middle aged men are very dependent on their wives for emotional support, and from the age of 30, also tend to have fewer friends than women in general. The average age of divorce among men in the UK is 45. Men can become increasingly isolated.  Trends including the rise in female employment, births outside marriage, the rise in divorce and cohabitation, second and subsequent marriages, lone parent households, step-families, solo living, partnering and de-partnering mean that men are less likely to be with a lifelong partner, and if you ally that with their difficulties in coping emotionally and being able to go out and establish new relationships with less support to fall back on than women, that makes them more vulnerable to psychological ill health and suicide.

Another factor is that men in this age group, as a generation, tend to have ideas about masculinity that could leave them more vulnerable to thoughts of suicide. They grew up with strong, silent, stoical fathers and male role models, but they're living in a society that now values open, sharing "new men". They are left not quite knowing who they are or how to be.

Coping mechanisms for feelings of suicide can exacerbate these feelings. When women become physically or psychologically unwell, they're more likely to seek help, to see their GP or share with their peer group. Men, in contrast, are more likely to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs. In the longer term, alcohol acts as a depressant on the brain; it lowers mood. In the short term, it can lead to impulsive decisions.

Should I be worried?

Many background factors are known to increase the suicide risk for men, including unemployment and financial pressures, a relationship crisis, bereavement and living apart from their children. Added to this are personality traits and patterns of behaviour.

• Self-criticism: Excessive negative self-appraisal and the inability to enjoy your successes.
• Reduced problem-solving ability: whether it's worries about work, a looming tax bill, a row with a partner – and using ways of coping that avoid the issues or worsen them.
• Rumination: Frequent self-defeating thoughts and brooding.
• Future thinking The inability to generate positive thoughts about the future, plus an increasing social disconnection and the belief you're a burden to others.
• Social perfectionism: The belief that you must meet the expectations of others with standards that may be unrealistic.

If you're worried about anyone, research shows the importance of persisting with offers of help and not giving up. Men are more inclined to pretend they're OK to avoid being perceived as weak.