Silent epidemic in Richland County: Suicides on the rise, seniors at risk

“Isolated,” “lonely,” “disconnected” – these are the words older adults in Richland County use in suicide notes to describe how they felt before taking their own lives.

These suicide notes have become all too common in Richland County, where suicide rates have skyrocketed over the past two years.

Richland Coroner Nadia Rutherford said many of the letter writers were elderly and had difficulty maintaining interpersonal connections or getting mental health help.

“In the suicide notes they left behind, they expressed that they felt they were a burden to their families,” Rutherford said. “One note in particular said that their families never come to visit.”

As of late August, county records show 49 people have died by suicide in Richland this year.

These 49 deaths have already exceeded the 47 recorded in 2022 and are on track to exceed 72 in 2023.

It’s unclear whether other South Carolina counties are seeing the same trend. State and national data for 2023 and 2024 are not yet readily available to the public.

In Richland, a surprising jump to 72 last year was the beginning of what threatened to become a disturbing epidemic.

“It was an eye opener,” Rutherford said. “Unfortunately, we are on track to exceed that threshold this year.”

The coroner’s office does not provide a detailed breakdown of the ages of those who died by suicide. But Rutherford said their ages ranged from 13 to 91, and the number of seniors was “shocking.”

She said some people expressed feelings of abandonment, especially if they couldn’t move as well as they used to.

“They felt like they were suddenly forgotten about as family members,” Rutherford said. “They were not invited to family holidays or gatherings. Their families only visit them when they go to medical appointments.”

Elimination of barriers

A representative from the South Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office attends scenes of unusual, suspicious or violent deaths.

But coroners also look for safety trends and advice for county residents on how to prevent deaths whenever possible.

Rutherford said part of the problem with the recent spate of suicides is technological change that has left older people who are not as tech-savvy behind.

For example, many mental health services are available online. However, this can be difficult for some seniors.

Chava Raymes, a therapist with Blue Moon Senior Counseling in South Carolina, says the technology barrier may discourage some seniors from seeking help.

“I think it seems scary to them,” Raymes said. “Older adults are much more distrustful of technology in some ways, and that’s totally fine. But they don’t fully understand how to use these resources.”

Rutherford suggests that mental health professionals do not pay attention to the older population because most resources are aimed at younger people.

“I think that’s why we made this leap,” Rutherford said. “There’s just a big disconnect between this generation and people who are getting older.”

Rutherford also said that the number of mental health services in general, especially counselors, is decreasing.

“There aren’t a lot of resources that are free and readily available,” Rutherford said. “There could be a six-month waiting list, and by the end you’d be deep in crisis.”

The stigma surrounding mental health can also keep some people from getting help.

“Especially with older men, there’s a stigma of, ‘Oh, you don’t need help. You’re not sad. You’re not depressed,” said Jessica Barnes, program manager for the South Carolina Department of Mental Health’s Office of Suicide Prevention.

Some people don’t want to be “a burden on other people,” especially their families, Raymes said.

“They often find it embarrassing, especially if they have spent their entire adult life alone. They forget how to ask for help,” Raymes said.

John Tjaarda, South Carolina regional director of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, noted that suicide rates declined nationwide in 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He suggests that the decline was due to people concentrating and interacting more.

“They ran ads over and over that said, ‘It’s okay to not be OK,’” Tjaarda said. “They talked about reaching out to loved ones who were isolated. And this decline in national suicides has shown what works – a deep sense of community and connection.”

Tjaarda said suicide rates across the country rose again in 2021 as the Covid-19 pandemic began to subside.

“As the pandemic waned, so did the sense of connection,” Tjaarda said. “I think we’ve seen what a country can do in a world focused on connection.”

Rutherford said that reminding the people in our lives that their presence is appreciated can help a lot.

“We are literally losing members of our community and the numbers are growing,” Rutherford said. “We have to keep showing these people how important they are. We need to give them a life and a purpose beyond sitting at home and patiently waiting each day for someone to notice that they are still there.

Recognizing signs, providing support

Tjaarda said mental health and suicide are incredibly complex and affect everyone differently, but can come with subtle warning signs.

“If you notice someone suddenly withdrawing from something they love, such as an older person who loves attending bridge club, it may indicate that a crisis point is approaching,” Tjaarda said.

Barnes says older people sometimes have difficulty accepting being more dependent on others. Loss of mobility can also lead to self-isolation.

Family members and friends of seniors can often help in ways they may not realize.

Tjaarda said asking people directly if they are thinking about committing suicide is an effective strategy to normalize discussions about mental health issues.

“Many people think this is what will come to their mind, but our research has shown that this is not true,” Tjaarda said. “What happens is you just took this super taboo thing that they thought they couldn’t talk about and made it possible for them to discuss it. You’ve created a safe space for them to share their feelings, fears, and hurts, allowing them to talk openly about their struggles.

Raymes said her therapy sessions with older adults focus primarily on acceptance and control.

“I think the loss of control leads to a lot of anxiety and feelings of worthlessness,” Raymes said, noting that some people begin to wonder, “What’s the point of all this?”

Destigmatizing mental health at all ages and ensuring seniors have access to the resources they deserve is the first step, she said.

“I actually don’t think humans were ever designed to do this on their own,” Raymes said. “In many ways we need each other. We must learn to ask for help at any age.”

Barnes said that while it’s a cliché, preventing suicide takes a village.

“A lot of times I felt like I was in the right place at the right time, but it’s really a community effort,” Barnes said. “But I carry my hope with me and keep it alive for others, even if they don’t feel like they have it.”

This article was published as part of an editorial partnership between South Carolina Public Radio and the University of South Carolina’s Carolina News and Reporter, which is responsible for its content. You can learn more about the Carolina News and Reporter Here.