There has been many economic and emotional ramifications due to this recession. Stock prices may be dropping but the suicide rate is sadly on the rise.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline increased by 36 percent since 2008, and another 15% by 2009.
Data compiled by the Wall Street Journal show increases in several states. Across 19 states, the average increase was 2.3 percent.
If you believe someone is suffering from depression and in danger of committing or attempting suicide, you can take the following steps (recommended by the Mayo Clinic)
To start, talk to the person and ask them questions. You can get a gauge of how this person is feeling, and sometimes an ear to listen is the best first step to recovery.
If you’re passionate about this cause, you can volunteer with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and be trained to answer crisis calls.
Anyone feeling suicidal should call their line immediately: 1-800-273-8255
There are several organizations dedicated to suicide prevention including SAVE and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Conversations Of A Sistah 
Tracy thank you for posting this. you gave anyone everything they need. Cause in NY, they are discovering that the boy didn’t burn the house down but the mother did and that was suicide. so sad.
LikeLike
@Quenetta, That story is very sad indeed.
I co-sign Tracy’s thoughts on the issue.
LikeLike
A lot of people scoff at mental health professionals or the need for one. I am not saying only or all Blacks take it lightly but I do see this a lot in my community. My boyfriend lost his job,apartment and all his belongings (in storage). He had never ever been through anything like that before. I didn’t make him feel bad about his feelings and I let him know I didn’t think any less of him for feeling that way. Thankfully he is still here and he is employed! But we had nights where I was the (non certified) psychologist…but I am an INFJ so a counselor by nature…and we worked throught it. I hope everyone can help their loved ones through this hard time. Just LISTEN and don’t judge and try to take them out of that mind frame for a bit. Much love to anyone hurting right now. It can and will get better. I tried to check out at least 4 times (in my youth) and I am still here. You will make it!!
LikeLike
@Sue, it takes real confidence to post that, thank you.
LikeLike
its easy to say buck up or things will get better, but when you’re facing homelessness ,starvation, incarceration,some cant deal with those choices.
welcome back Ms. Bell. 🙂
Great post!!!!
LikeLike
after being unemployed now for two yrs, and behind on child support.. it crosses my mind…daily.
That’s right. I ain’t ashamed to tall ya’ll. This was the best thing Trace could have posted. all the info as well.
LikeLike
That’s right. I ain’t ashamed to tall ya’ll. This was the best thing Trace could have posted. all the info as well.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Speak Raymond, we family!!!!
LikeLike
@Ray, oh honey…please please think of the people who have less, think of the people who love you. I know it’s hard, I know what it feels like to not only think about it but to attempt it…please talk to someone.
LikeLike
@Ray, Life is hard, this can’t be denied…but you are tougher than anything it can ever throw at you. Please please don’t feel like you have no options.
Thanks Tra for the info.
LikeLike
@Ray, I love you even though I have never met you…please stay strong. Remember love can overcome anything…even if it is only love of self!
LikeLike
The past few years have been very stressful for a great number of people who have experienced serious and unrelenting financial insecurity for the first time in their lives. I suspect it’s very much what people felt during the depression when lives suddenly changed almost overnight. George W. Bush could have prevented this, but he was so clueless. He let corporations do whatever they wanted, encouraged deregulation, and bankrupt the country searching for WMDs…and oil. He deserves a cell next to Madoff.
LikeLike
The stress is what’s eating people alive. Why is it when a recession is always the perfect time to RAISE PRICES. We are facing our 6th straight month of increases in utilities and fees for everything continue to rise despite the fact that income is stagnant and nonexistent for many. It’s a mess. People commit suicide when there are no readily available resources to take advantage of. A mental health professional? Sure, that’ll be $300 for your first visit.
LikeLike
Thanks Tracy, this was real talk right here.
LikeLike
Raymond, I know when you are down and things stack up one after the other, it is so very hard to stay positive and “keep plugging”, but please do.
LikeLike
@Raymond, Think of one small good thing a day and focus on that each day. After a 9 month struggle to find a job and being unemployed, I just was offered a part time job. It can happen! But you have to keep applying, go in with the confidence that you know you once had and feel strong in your knowledge and experience in your career. No one, even your old corporation that laid you off, can take that away from you. Seek support in friends and family and others who understand your plight, it does help.
LikeLike
Kepp ya head up brothas. Oh my sistas too. we all in dis struggle for real.
LikeLike
A lot of unemployed people are presently selling everything they own and, because their benefits have been cut off, have nowhere to turn. I blame this on our government’s lack of compassion.Maybe government suicide centers should be set up so there is no pain in taking one’s life. It’s cheaper to do that than pay benefits to those kicked under the bus.
LikeLike
“So I jump out in the street and hail a cab and shout “Take me to the George Washington Bridge!” And the cabby yells, “DON’T DO IT BUDDY, YOU’RE YOUNG YOU’VE GOT YOUR WHOLE LIFE AHEAD OF YOU!”
LikeLike
“So I jump out in the street and hail a cab and shout “Take me to the George Washington Bridge!” And the cabby yells, “DON’T DO IT BUDDY, YOU’RE YOUNG YOU’VE GOT YOUR WHOLE LIFE AHEAD OF YOU!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
LMAO You Stupid Nelson. 🙂
LikeLike
if suicide rates go high enough, unemployment won’t be a problem anymore.
LikeLike
FIFTY percent of all new job requisitions will NOT INTERVIEW anyone who already has a job.
Count on more post like this one
LikeLike
Employers also want the best and the brightest, and most experienced for entry level wages……
It’s crazy. A degree now don’t mean shit!!!
LikeLike
Many Employers also want to run credit check on applicants…..a good credit rating on people who’ve lost their jobs and been out of work for an extended period….Is not a good look.
LikeLike
Yeah they tryna make it harder for the unemployed. Yeah they kickin em while they are already down.
LikeLike
Thanks for bringing attention to this issue, Trace.
LikeLike
Take away hope, betray hope, make it harder for ordinary people to survive and prosper. And then make it hard to kill yourself with dignity.
LikeLike
Washington doesn’t care
Banks don’t care.
For a thousand dollars they’d sacrifice a few lives.
LikeLike
I have been unemployed 2 months…….I lost my business thanks to the recession…….and my field is overlooked by the state ……I had to go and start all over again from scratch…..they are making me jump hoops to get my license to work for some one else …….it is frustrating to say the least. I have been depressed had to get emergency help to keep my electric, phone, gas and rent , I am 57 yo,even went to Mcdonalds but they seem not to hire anyone over 25 and I was told by the manager there are over 200 people before you.
I HOPE NOT ONE OF YOU HAS TO FACE WHAT MY FAMILY AND I ARE FACEING NOW ……..WE LIVE IN FEAR EVERY DAY WAITING FOR THE NEXT SHOE TO DROP.
LikeLike
Hang on please!!! anybody that’s feelin down.
LikeLike
Sad post but so true.
To Raymond, hang on homey. your kids need you.
Thanks Tracy for posting this. 🙂
LikeLike
This is sad but I wanted to test my gravi. lol.
LikeLike
How many of us lucky to still be employed, are one paycheck away from desperation? I am grateful to have a job, but those who’ve lost theirs and can’t find another, for years, are in really deep water. And it seems like nobody really understands or cares. If you’ve never had to go to a food bank or a church or the Salvation Army for a meal and some money to pay the electric or water bill, you don’t know what it’s like to truly be down and out.
And trust me, I’ve been there and done that!
LikeLike
Daisy, Most individuals, especially men, are defined by their work and the knowledge and skill derived from performing that work. When work is refused to that individual, he sees no place for himself in society. He then feels his life is worthless. he would rather die than to live with the rejection of not finding a job.
LikeLike
Another element of this situation – calling the suicide hotline and getting a busy signal.
This happened to me. I cried, then I laughed, and thought about how many others must be feeling the way I was at that moment – and had the strength to get through one more night.
LikeLike
Obama might not be the saviour some expected him to be, but the US and the rest of the world would be much worse off if McCain/Palin had won!
LikeLike
Obama might not be the saviour some expected him to be, but the US and the rest of the world would be much worse off if McCain/Palin had won!
************
Amen to that!
We’d be in the second Great Depression.
LikeLike
Those who feel despair should reach out to friends and family and seek help. Lord knows I pray that they do.
This is the second time Trace has written a post on this.
LikeLike
Raymond, If you are behind on child support, you have children who need you and would miss you even if you don’t have custody. Get some help. This too shall pass.
LikeLike
Some guy jumped off the Delaware memorial bridge last week and committed suicide. drove to the bridge and walk up the suspension and jumped into the Delaware river. 😦
LikeLike
Trace, Thanks for bringing attention to this issue.
LikeLike
You have to believe that better days are ahead. I lost my job just after Obama took Office and been out of work ever sense. I’m just now getting work. I start on the 2nd of next month. During this time, I lost my house, two cars and my wife threatened to leave.
Needless to say I got two job offers and took the really nice paying one! Always know you can do better then where you’re at. Good luck! I’m pulling for you!
LikeLike
LordD, Congrats on the gig and thanks for your good wishes.
LikeLike
LordD, Congrats on the gig and thanks for your good wishes.
*********
Yeah–good luck to you in your new position.
LikeLike
Impressive LordD., Impressive.
LikeLike
New Post Please, I’m getting depressed just reading some of these comments.
LikeLike
Committing suicide as a result of not finding a job is somewhat ironic. But first, this is sad all the way around – no doubt. But when things get bad, as happened before in our past, we usually find a way to come through. We find ways as individuals, families, and communities to come through.
We used to be the richest and most powerful free nation on earth. Now, when bad hits, we kill ourselves? That is not the resolve of free people of a free nation. Get Government out of way and let us use our historically proven creativity to pull ourselves out of this. Bad has happened many times in our past and each time the Government increasingly interferes, it gets harder to resolve.
TRUST IN GOD NOT THE GOVERNMENT.
LikeLike
Come on people now, McDonalds is always hiring.
LikeLike
Come on people now, McDonalds is always hiring.
———————————————-
Then McDonald might be “aways hiring” in your mind, but they’re not hiring in the real world. I know way too many people that applied and were rejected because, “Oh, in six months you might find a job in your field that pays more and you would be gone”…In case you hadn’t noticed, most of these low-wage places use on-line applications and do so for a reason…to weed out “overqualified” applicants….and if you worked the last 15yrs as an electrician and used to get $22hr? You’re overqualified.
LikeLike
wow
LikeLike
Sad. thatisall.
LikeLike