Economic struggles lead to higher suicides in U.S., CDC reports

By Staff Writer

The economic state of the U.S. significantly impacts the nation's suicide rate, according to a new report from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Suicides spiked during the Great Depression in the early 1930s, the end of the New Deal in the late 1930s, the Oil Crisis in the mid 1970s and the Double-Dip Recession in the early 1980s. On the other hand, suicide rates were low during prosperous economic times in America, such as during World War II and through the 1990s.

When the economy weakens, the unemployment rate is high and many Americans are forced to leave their homes because they cannot afford to pay the mortgage. Financial problems have long been linked to mental disorders, substance abuse, domestic violence and self-harm.

However, this was the first study to examine the suicide trends by age and business cycle over an extended period of U.S. history. Researchers studied the rates from 1928 to 2007.

Although the nation is slowly recovering from the latest recession, unemployment rates are still high and many families are struggling to make ends meet.

Adolescents who suffers from suicidal ideation may benefit from the emotional support that is offered by wilderness therapy programs.