Suicides Increase in Indiana and Across Nation, Marking Recession's Deadly Toll

Most have felt the impact of the recession in one way or another. Maybe it was the lost job, the home that wouldn't sell or the stocks that tanked. In Indiana, the recession's toll includes rising and often alarming numbers of suicides. In other parts of the country, pockets of high suicides seem to go along with high unemployment, home foreclosures and other aspects of the recession. Now there is evidence that suicide rates are rising, not only in Indiana but across the country.

What Makes this Recession so Deadly?

Multiple stresses are associated with this recession -- and they have lasted a long time, at least two years. According to a CNN unemployment map, Indiana has a 9.8 percent unemployment rate, higher than at any time since 1983. Indiana also has high numbers of home foreclosures. It is not uncommon for perfectly fine homes to sit on the market for two years or more before selling, often for very low prices.

In 2006, the most recent year in which data was analyzed, suicide was the fourth leading cause of death for Hoosiers ages 15 through 54 (according to the Indiana Suicide Prevention Coalition). But experts in the field believe that suicide rates may be rising even more than in 2006, not just in Indiana but across the nation. In many respects, that makes this recession different than other recessions, perhaps topped only by the Great Depression when it comes to suicide rates.

A recent survey noted in the Wall Street Journal suggests that suicide rates are indeed creeping up, higher in 2008 than in 2007. Preliminary data suggests that suicides in 19 out of 33 of the largest U.S. states have risen. Suicides seem to be particularly high in those who already are depressed or prone to substance abuse. But they aren't the only ones affected. Not this time around.

Experts See Signs of Rising Suicides in Indiana and Across the Nation

I spoke with John L. McIntosh, a professor of psychology at Indiana University at South Bend. McIntosh has analyzed suicide statistics for 30 years. Although he emphasized that suicides don't always happen because of one reason, he said he expected a bump in the suicide rates when data was fully analyzed, rising higher than ever. He couldn't say whether the rise would be sharp or not but did expect suicide rates to rise.

According to McIntosh, this "is the second largest economic crisis (since the Great Depression)" with the potential to increase factors that increase stress. And stress and suicide often go hand in hand, especially if there isn't access to other support systems. Other support systems include a strong network of family and friends, mental health services, appropriate treatment and medications that can help prevent depression and suicides.

The trouble is, even the support systems may be facing financial stresses caused by the recession.

What Happens when Indiana's and the Nation's Suicide Hotlines and Centers Are in Financial Crisis?

That is exactly what is happening in Indiana and the rest of the nation, as overloaded suicide hotlines deal with unprecedented numbers of callers in crisis. Suicide centers aren't the only support systems being stressed. Joanne Morris, a nurse practitioner who works with homeless families in Indianapolis, noted that homeless shelters are often filled to "capacity and people are sleeping on the floors." Where do the homeless go when there isn't room for them in the shelters? How do they maintain hope?

Homelessness, home foreclosures, bankruptcies and a high rate of unemployment in Indiana are multiple stress factors, any one of which can contribute to suicide risk.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has made funding for suicide prevention centers across the nation (including Indiana) a priority. Calls related to the recession have simply increased that sharply but the suicide call centers have themselves been hit with deep cuts from state and local governments. The situation has gone beyond serious to critical. SAMSHA funds the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

More Indiana and National Suicides: How High is the Risk?

According to data at Connect2Help, an Indiana agency, there could be levels of need and stress not seen since the Great Depression, levels higher than in previous recessions. Calls to the Connect2Help (C2H) line definitely indicate that the economy is a major factor, with an alarming rise of 175 percent in the number of crisis calls in the last 5 years. While 5 percent of those calls were suicide assessments, there could definitely be some overlap between categories. A certain number of domestic abuse or rape victims might be at higher risk for suicide. Also, 8 percent of all callers needed telephone "reassurance" -- a rather vague category which could also include some Indiana callers at risk for suicide.

In 2008, calls to Connect2Help soared 42 percent, the largest annual increase in the history of the agency. To add to the growing evidence of stress during the recession in Indiana, calls have increased 180 percent in the last five years, long before an "official" recession was declared. Many callers were living in homes where someone had been laid off or unemployed.

More than 180,000 calls for help from people in central Indiana indicate the depth of the recession and economic downturn in Indiana, especially among those who hadn't experienced terrible economic woes before.

Indiana Resources, Plus National Help For Those in Crisis

In October of 2003, Connect2Help was the first agency in Indiana to receive accreditation by the American Association of Suicidology, an organization which researches ways to prevent suicide. By calling Connect2Help at (317) 920-4580 or by going to the website, those in crisis can receive assistance. Connect2Help 2-1-1 can help callers in crisis connect with resources or simply be there to listen and offer reassurance. Connect2Help works with the Lifeline Network to man their National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255 and the (800) 784-2433 suicide hotline for Central Indiana. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at (800) 273-8255, offering both nationwide help for those in crisis as well as references for Indiana citizens at risk of suicide.

Sources:

Interview with John L Macintosh, professor of psychology, Indiana University, South Bend

Joanne Morris, nurse practitioner who works with the homeless in Indianapolis

Connect2help, Indiana Suicide Prevention: here

Calls for Help Skyrocket as Recession Takes Hold, Connect2Help report here

American Association of Suicidology, http://www.suicidology.org/web/guest/home

SAMHSA News Release, http://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/advisories/0908030709.aspxRecessions Can't Compare: Journal Gazette.net: here

Suicides in the Downturn Raise Worries about Recession's Real Cost, MSNBC.com here

CNN.com state by state unemployment map: here

Indiana Suicide Prevention Coalition, here

Early Data Suggest Suicides are Rising, Wall Street Journal, Nov. 23 online.wsj.com/article/SB125892118623059701.html