“In this group, the rate is 37.6 male suicides per 100,000 people compared to 20.6 male suicides in the 20 to 24-year group and 29.9 males in the 40 to 44-year group,” Raylee Taylor, Chair of the Care For Life Suicide Prevention Network said.

Depression is the major factor.

ABS figures show the number of suicides for the 85+ has jumped 15% between 2010 and 2014 to 2864 a year.

Village operators need to watch out for warning signs. Ms Taylor says “The aged may make comments about suicide but might not be taken seriously by their loved ones.”

Philip Nitschke, director of Exit International and euthanasia advocate, backed the figures, saying the average age of Exit International members was 75. He also said when 80-plus members made a decision to die, they often lived longer as they felt they were back in control of their lives.

World Suicide Prevention Day is September 10.

Picture: Australian Bureau of Statistics.