Loneliness in older adults is associated with an increased risk of those affected wishing for their own death, This is what a new study on aging has shown.

On Wednesday, new research from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) at Trinity College Dublin was published, examining social isolation and its link to the “desire to die” among older people.

These are thoughts or wishes about one’s own death or that one would be better off dead. It is a commonly used indicator to assess thoughts about death, which in turn is an important clinical marker for future suicidal behavior.

According to the study, published in the journal Frontiers in Public Health and based on responses from 8,000 community-dwelling adults, about 4 percent said they felt they would rather be dead in the month before the interview.

A further 10 percent had clinically significant depression, with loneliness identified as a particularly important risk factor for thoughts of death.

However, research also showed that participating in activities can help alleviate these feelings.

Regularly attending religious services is an example of a prosocial activity that can protect older people from loneliness, depression and thoughts of death, the study found.

Interventions to treat depression and anxiety, including cognitive behavioral therapy, may also help alleviate loneliness, it said.

Dr. Mark Ward, senior research associate at TILDA and lead author of the study, said that both loneliness and suicide have increased among older adults and “are now considered critical public health problems.”

“This study clearly shows that loneliness in later life is associated with an increased risk of people wishing for their own death. This death wish is often a precursor to suicidal thoughts and behavior,” he said.

“Prosocial behaviour, including attending church services and other community activities, protects against these negative thoughts about one’s own life. Uniquely, regular church attendance can protect older people in Ireland from thoughts of death. Our results again underline the importance of promoting social activities and networks to protect against loneliness and related psychological stress.”

Dr Robert Briggs, consultant geriatrician at St James’s Hospital and co-author of the study, said the study showed the importance of addressing mental health issues and maintaining social contacts later in life.

“The ‘wish to die’, that is, the desire for one’s own death or the thought that one would be better off dead, is closely linked to future suicide attempts. An increased focus on improving access to mental health care and tackling social isolation among older people should therefore be a priority for policy makers.”

For help for people in need, call the Samaritans on 116 123 or Pieta House on 1800 247 247. You can also text the word “Help” to Pieta House on 51444.