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Samaritans fear suicide increase due to economic crisis
Samaritans fear suicide increase due to economic crisis
Embargoed until 00:01am Thursday 18th December 2008
Date: Wednesday 17th December 2008
Contact: Kate Redway / Robyn Clark
Phone: +44 (0)20 8394 8342 / 020 8394 8348
Email: k.redway@samaritans.org / r.clark@samaritans.org
Out of hours press phone: +44 (0)7943 809162
Emotional support charity urges anyone in emotional distress to seek 24-hour confidential support this Christmas and throughout the coming year.
Samaritans warns that the deepening financial and economic crises could lead to an increase in suicide rates nationwide as people face unemployment, mounting debt and housing insecurity (1). The charity is encouraging people to look out for family, friends and colleagues in these times of economic uncertainty.
Research shows that people who are unemployed are 2-3 times more likely to die by suicide than people in employment, (2) with unemployed men more at risk than unemployed women (1). Unemployment can result in poorer mental health, such as anxiety and depression, lowered self-esteem and feelings of hopelessness – all of which increase the likelihood that someone will think that life is not worth living.
Stephen Platt, Professor of Health Policy Research at the University of Edinburgh and a Samaritans’ Trustee, said: “Economic recession, especially when it is sudden and severe, can lead to an increase in suicide rates. This is not only because more people become unemployed and, as a result, more psychologically vulnerable, but also because those in employment feel threatened too. The fear of losing one’s job and pressures caused by a downturn in business, demotion or pension plan cutbacks can be bad for mental health and therefore increase suicide risk.
“At this time Samaritans’ services are more crucial than ever. A recent survey (3) of people who have contacted Samaritans showed that 74 per cent of suicidal people felt that getting in touch with the service helped them take a decision not to end their own lives and 70 per cent of people felt that speaking to a Samaritans’ volunteer helped them cope with the problem they were facing.”
Samaritans receives 2.8 million contacts a year by phone, email, letter and face-to-face. Research undertaken by the charity shows that one in ten (about 280,000) contacts concerns financial issues, with 41 per cent of contacts who raise financial issues worried about employment, 32 per cent concerned about housing and 25 per cent anxious about debt. (4)
Joe Ferns of Samaritans said: "Financial difficulty can contribute to the breakdown of even the strongest relationships with friends and family. People may rely more heavily on alcohol and drugs as a coping mechanism and it is well established that excessive alcohol consumption and drug misuse increase suicide risk.
“We urge anyone feeling distressed or struggling to cope this Christmas to share their problems rather than letting them get out of control. Talk to your family, friends and colleagues or, if you feel you can’t do this, contact us. We are open around the clock over the festive period, even when many other public services are closed.
“If you’re worried about someone close to you, there are a number of signs that you can watch out for. GPs and other health professionals should also be on the lookout for mental health symptoms that may be linked to unemployment and financial strain.”
Signs to look out for include someone:
People can contact Samaritans by phone on 08457 90 90 90, email on jo@samaritans.org or face-to-face at one of the UK’s 201 local branches. Log on to www.samaritans.org for more information.
To find out more about the effects of economic crisis on emotional health, please visit www.samaritans.org/economicQandA
There were 5985 deaths by suicide reported in the UK and Republic of Ireland in 2006 (including undetermined deaths) according to the Office for National Statistics. Suicide increases directly after the Christmas period with a peak in suicides on New Year’s Day (5). Many people will feel without hope at the beginning of a new year and this can lead to suicidal thoughts and feelings of despair.
There were 838 deaths by suicide in Scotland in 2007. UK wide 2007 figures will be published end of January 2009.
Samaritans fear suicide increase due to economic crisis
Embargoed until 00:01am Thursday 18th December 2008
Date: Wednesday 17th December 2008
Contact: Kate Redway / Robyn Clark
Phone: +44 (0)20 8394 8342 / 020 8394 8348
Email: k.redway@samaritans.org / r.clark@samaritans.org
Out of hours press phone: +44 (0)7943 809162
Emotional support charity urges anyone in emotional distress to seek 24-hour confidential support this Christmas and throughout the coming year.
Samaritans warns that the deepening financial and economic crises could lead to an increase in suicide rates nationwide as people face unemployment, mounting debt and housing insecurity (1). The charity is encouraging people to look out for family, friends and colleagues in these times of economic uncertainty.
Research shows that people who are unemployed are 2-3 times more likely to die by suicide than people in employment, (2) with unemployed men more at risk than unemployed women (1). Unemployment can result in poorer mental health, such as anxiety and depression, lowered self-esteem and feelings of hopelessness – all of which increase the likelihood that someone will think that life is not worth living.
Stephen Platt, Professor of Health Policy Research at the University of Edinburgh and a Samaritans’ Trustee, said: “Economic recession, especially when it is sudden and severe, can lead to an increase in suicide rates. This is not only because more people become unemployed and, as a result, more psychologically vulnerable, but also because those in employment feel threatened too. The fear of losing one’s job and pressures caused by a downturn in business, demotion or pension plan cutbacks can be bad for mental health and therefore increase suicide risk.
“At this time Samaritans’ services are more crucial than ever. A recent survey (3) of people who have contacted Samaritans showed that 74 per cent of suicidal people felt that getting in touch with the service helped them take a decision not to end their own lives and 70 per cent of people felt that speaking to a Samaritans’ volunteer helped them cope with the problem they were facing.”
Samaritans receives 2.8 million contacts a year by phone, email, letter and face-to-face. Research undertaken by the charity shows that one in ten (about 280,000) contacts concerns financial issues, with 41 per cent of contacts who raise financial issues worried about employment, 32 per cent concerned about housing and 25 per cent anxious about debt. (4)
Joe Ferns of Samaritans said: "Financial difficulty can contribute to the breakdown of even the strongest relationships with friends and family. People may rely more heavily on alcohol and drugs as a coping mechanism and it is well established that excessive alcohol consumption and drug misuse increase suicide risk.
“We urge anyone feeling distressed or struggling to cope this Christmas to share their problems rather than letting them get out of control. Talk to your family, friends and colleagues or, if you feel you can’t do this, contact us. We are open around the clock over the festive period, even when many other public services are closed.
“If you’re worried about someone close to you, there are a number of signs that you can watch out for. GPs and other health professionals should also be on the lookout for mental health symptoms that may be linked to unemployment and financial strain.”
Signs to look out for include someone:
- Being withdrawn or unsociableBeing low-spirited or depressed
- Drinking alcohol excessively or becoming dependent on drugs
- Finding it difficult to relate to others
- Taking less care of themselves
- Acting out of character
- Being tearful or constantly fighting back tears
- Being excessively irritable
- Finding it hard to concentrate
- Feeling less energetic or particularly tired
- Eating much less or much more than usual
- Putting themselves down (self-mockingly as well as seriously), e.g. “Nobody loves me” or “I’m a waste of space”.
People can contact Samaritans by phone on 08457 90 90 90, email on jo@samaritans.org or face-to-face at one of the UK’s 201 local branches. Log on to www.samaritans.org for more information.
To find out more about the effects of economic crisis on emotional health, please visit www.samaritans.org/economicQandA
There were 5985 deaths by suicide reported in the UK and Republic of Ireland in 2006 (including undetermined deaths) according to the Office for National Statistics. Suicide increases directly after the Christmas period with a peak in suicides on New Year’s Day (5). Many people will feel without hope at the beginning of a new year and this can lead to suicidal thoughts and feelings of despair.
There were 838 deaths by suicide in Scotland in 2007. UK wide 2007 figures will be published end of January 2009.