Research by Lisa Van Hove (VUB, PRISM network) reveals that nearly 1 in 4 older adults in Flanders have engaged in self-harm at some point in their lives — and almost 1 in 10 did so after the age of 60.
These findings challenge the common belief that self-harm is limited to young people. Older adults who self-harm were found to be more physically and cognitively vulnerable, lonelier, and more likely to have a mental health diagnosis.
Despite these risks, self-harm in older age remains heavily under-discussed — both in care settings and in public discourse.
📖 Read the article in EOS Wetenschap (Dutch):
“Ook oma doet zichzelf pijn – we praten er alleen nooit over”
🎧 Listen to the interview on VRT’s Nieuwe Feiten (Dutch):
Link to VRT MAX