Older women attempting suicide on the rise.

• Position: YOUR LIFE - Brief article

There has been a 49% increase in emergency department visits for drug-related suicide attempts by women aged 50 and older--from 11,235 a few years ago to 16,757. This increase reflects the overall population growth of women aged 50 and older.

The report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Washington, D.C., also shows that, while overall rates for these types of hospital emergency department visits by females of all ages remained relatively stable throughout this period, visits involving particular pharmaceuticals increased. For instance, emergency department visits for suicide attempts involving drugs to treat anxiety and insomnia jumped 56%.

Similarly, emergency department visits for suicide attempts among females involving pain relievers rose more than 30%. Specifically...