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Background: In line with international trends, Australia has an ageing population resulting in a larger proportion of people living to be 65 years and older.At the same time however, suicide in this age group has emerged as an increasingly global phenomenon.Contributing factors to older peoples suicide may include physical or economic dependency, mental and/or physical health problems, chronic pain, grief, loneliness, alcoholism or carer stress.When compared with other population groups, suicide in older people is often characterised by less warning or explicit cues, less history of previous attempts, greater prevalence of depression (often not diagnosed), high levels of hopelessness and, less likelihood of contacting mental health services to seek help.Furthermore, older people have a higher risk of completed suicide than any other group worldwide, with approximately one in four attempts resulting in death.Despite this, suicide in older people receives relatively little attention, with public health measures, medical research, and media attention focusing on younger age groups.Methods: Drawing on a review of contemporary literature, this presentation describes the impetus for conducting a research project to explore the protective role of secondary suicide prevention measures in people aged 65 and over.Conclusion: Arguably, older people face significant physical, emotional and social challenges as they age; challenges that are put even further to the test in a health climate where ageism and stigma circle around suicide in older people.Whilst risk factors are important indicators for diagnosis and treatment, an explicit focus on the objective measurement of these may preclude health professionals from gaining a deeper understanding of the key factors that contribute to a turning point in an older persons life-one where suicidal thoughts and feelings manifest in a decision to act on them.