A report released recently from MSNBC.com shows a disturbing trend across
the country; an increase in suicide rates that correlates with job
loss and home foreclosures.

The article, “Suicides in the downturn raise worries about
recession’s real cost,” notes that while the economy cannot be
directly linked to an increased number of suicides, the rate can be
at least partially attributed to the effects of economic recession,
such as unemployment and loss of possessions, including one’s
home.

The highest rates of suicide, according to statistics, are in
five counties in Alaska. Alaska’s Wade Hampton Census Area is
highest in the nation, with 110.4 suicides per 100,000 people per
year from 1979 to 2006.

The highest-ranked Pennsylvania county is Susquehanna County,
which is ranked 411th with 17.3 suicides per 100,000 people per
year from 1979 to 2006.

Meanwhile, McKean County is ranked highest of the four-county
region, followed by Elk, Potter and Cameron counties,
respectively.

McKean County is the only one to be ranked under the 1,000 mark,
ranked 931 with 14.1 suicides per 100,000 people from 1979 to 2006.
Elk County is ranked 1,361st with 12.6 suicides per 100,000 people;
Potter County is ranked 1,413th with 12.4 suicides and Cameron
County is ranked lowest at 1,781 with 11 suicides per 100,000
people.

Of the four counties, information was not available in McKean
County for four years during the 27-year period; information for
Elk County was not available for 13 years; Potter County had no
information for 16 of the 27 years and Cameron County had no
information for 12 of the 27 years included in the compiled
information.

Nationwide, statistics do show an increase in calls to the
National Suicide Prevention Hotline, with 540,041 calls received in
2008, compared to 412,768 in 2007.

Also, more than three quarters of the individuals surveyed by
the American Psychological Association in September reported the
economy as a primary source of stress.

As long as the stress of unemployment and lack of available jobs
continues to plague various areas, particularly smaller ones,
officials fear the rates of suicide may continue to increase.

The article, written by Health Writer JoNel Aleccia, also quotes
notable figures in the field, including John L. McIntosh, a
professor of psychology at Indiana University at South Bend, some
research finds underlying emotional issues, including depression,
that factor into the higher suicide rates. The rough economy simply
increases the number of people who are susceptible to the idea of
suicide, McIntosh points out.

The information, compiled from The Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, National Center for Health statistics, reports on
suicides from 1979 to 2006. More recent information is not yet
available.