Why did my father commit suicide?

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Why did my father commit suicide?

Lucy Freeman thought her father was looking forward to his retirement. In the Saturday Times, she tells of the guilt and anger that accompanied his final act.

Being male and growing old are two significant risk factors for committing suicide. In the early 1990s, the highest suicide rates in Britain were among men aged 75 and over. The optimistic news is that the trend among this group is downwards, though there is a slight rise among men aged 45 to 74.

Another worrying sign is if a previously robust man starts to make leading statements about himself such as “the whole world is against me” or self-critical comments, in either a serious or mocking manner, such as “I'm a waste of space.” However, as men are more reluctant to talk to friends, family or health professionals about their emotional health, some men can display no danger signs at all, cautions Mind, the mental health charity.