The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) has published a paper entitled, “Suicide and the economic depression: reflections on suicide during the Great Depression” which concludes that there was only a slight increase in deaths by suicide during the Great Depression. Citing available research, the paper’s author Professor Brian Mishara, president of the Association, notes that the most likely explanation for increased suicide during this period is the well-documented link between unemployment and suicide.
Unemployment may lead to greater social vulnerability, including less social integration by decreasing the possibility of marriage and increasing divorce rates. However, the relationship between unemployment and suicide may be the result of increases in other factors, such as stress induced mental health problems that may be related to reduced income.
Professor Mishara, of the Université du Québec à Montréal, states, “If you are in the unfortunate position of having lost your job, then it is imperative that you keep in contact with your network of friends, family and associates. And if you need to talk with someone confidentially there are many crisis centers or helplines that offer support by trained, caring professionals and volunteers. You can browse our website to find such support anywhere in the world at http://www.iasp.info/
The International Association for Suicide Prevention is a non-governmental organization of suicide prevention professionals and volunteers from more that 50 countries, in official relations with the World Health Organization. The Asociation co-sponsors World Suicide Prevention Day, on September 10th each year with the WHO.
