SUICIDES amongst elderly Scots have risen dramatically as support groups have registered an increase in concerns about chronic isolation and loneliness.

Suicides in Scotland have risen for the first time in six years as new figures show in 2016, 728 people took their own lives in Scotland - 56 more than the previous year - with 71 per cent of those being men.

But the National Records of Scotland report also reveals that in the six years to the start of 2017 while suicides amongs Scots aged 15 to 49 have been on the decline, those taking their lives between 60 and 74 have risen by 27 percent from 86 to 109. Around two in every three OAP suicide is a man.

Support group Elder Abuse Scotland said that the issue of loneliness is so great that there have been cases where many OAPs have refused free call blocking devices from councils to stop predatory cold calls because they would "rather speak to the scammers than have no-one to talk to".

Samaritans in Scotland are in early discussions with the Scottish Government over developing a strategy to prevent social isolation and loneliness in Scotland.

A TNS Scotland poll showed that 200,000 older Scots spending half a week or more with no visits or phone calls from anyone.

And the majority of those questioned (86 per cent) also said there should be more help available for lonely older people Loneliness is linked to poor health including depression, high blood pressure, a weakened immune system and an increased risk of developing dementia.

New research also suggests that the financial pressure on our health and social care system from loneliness is substantial.

Samaritans’ executive director for Scotland, James Jopling, said: "We know Samaritans are called by very high numbers of people whose reasons for calling are being socially isolated and lonely.

The Herald:

"We can say with some confidence, unfortunately that we know it is an increasing issue, and we know that large numbers of people call Samaritans with that [isolation and loneliness] as their primary reason for calling. "I would not attribute the rise solely to that phenomenon, but it would be one of the factors that may well be contributing.

"We know particularly amongst older people the issue about social isolation and loneliness which can particularly be felt within remote rural communities with lack of transport links.

"It is about finding at a local community level to support people to re-engage with their neighbours and friends."

Lesley Carcary, director of Action on Elder Abuse Scotland said it had been reported that loneliness might be a bigger risk to someone's health than smoking or obesity.

"I heard that loneliness can be as damaging to someone's health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, which is truly saddening given the number of older people in Scotland today," she said.

"Not only does it seriously impact someone's mental or physical health, but it can also significantly increase their risk of being harmed or abused as they are often seen as an easy target."

She also believed the rise in suicides may be that many older people are experiencing worrying financial difficulties as a result of having to help their children or other family members.

"While in many cases, they choose to help their family, unfortunately, as many people are becoming increasingly desperate in the current financial climate, they may decide to either steal from their elderly parents or put pressure on them to hand over money.

"Again, loneliness can play a large part in this, as many older people may feel if they don't hand over the money, their children, and in turn grandchildren, won't come to visit them. The vast majority are unlikely to report what is happening due to embarrassment or are reluctant to report their children, and therefore suffer in silence."

Age Scotland chief executive Keith Robson said the figures were "very concerning", adding: "There can be many different triggers for these tragic occurrences, though the most common remains mental health problems such as psychosis or depression, or a history of substance or alcohol abuse.

"Suicide is even more likely when these problems combine with the emotional pain derived from terminal illness, loss of physical or cognitive functions, or social isolation and loneliness.

"Age Scotland wants everyone to love later life, cope with its challenges and delight in its opportunities. The vast majority of older Scots are hopeful and positive. And for anyone who harbours suicidal thoughts, or is a family member or friend of someone who appears to do so, they should know that help is available."

The new figures also show that the methods of suicide have changed over the years. While in the 1970s, over half took poison, on average only about 13% hanged themselves, and almost a fifth drowned'

Now the most common method of suicide is ‘hanging, strangulation and suffocation’ (49 per cent) followed by ‘poison’ (28 per cent). In addition, eight per cent killed themselves by jumping or falling from a high place, five per cent by drowning or submersion, and under one per cent used firearms or explosives.

The Scottish Government said it was engaging with stakeholders with a view to developing a new suicide prevention action plan for publication in early 2018.

Over half (56%) of Gransnet users – the over 50s networking site - who describe themselves as lonely say they have never talked about their loneliness to anyone.