Press Release: Samaritans and the economic climate

The deepening financial and economic crises could lead to an increase in suicide rates as people face unemployment, mounting debt and housing insecurity. The information below can help journalists, health professionals, companies, government and members of the public support family, friends, colleagues and patients in these troubled times.

1. If the country is going into recession what will the impact be on people’s mental and emotional health?
   
   
2. Does Samaritans think that there is going to be an increase in suicides as a result of the current financial climate?
   
   
3. How can Samaritans help?
   
   

4. Is there generally a rise in suicides at Christmas regardless of the credit crunch?
   
   
5. Which groups of people are at increased risk of suicide in these times of economic uncertainty?
   
   
6. Is suicide still such a big problem? Aren’t suicide rates decreasing?
   
   

7. What can the effects of redundancy be?
   
   
8. Will there be more marriage/ relationship breakdowns as a result of the financial crisis?
   
   
9. How will families as a whole be affected?
   
   
10. What kind of work issues are exacerbating pressures for people?
    
    
11. What support is available for people?
    
    

12. How can people safeguard their mental and emotional health in these times of economic uncertainty?
    
    
13. Are there things that people can look out for that might indicate family, friends and colleagues are not coping and in need of extra support?
    
    
14. Is the Government looking at improving access to mental health services as a result of the financial crisis?
    
    
15. Will the impact of the financial crisis on mental health be included in national suicide prevention strategies now or in the future?
    
    

16. How many people contact Samaritans about financial issues?
    
    
17. Do you refer people on to support services particularly geared towards debt?
    
    
18. Have Samaritans’ calls and emails gone up?
    
    
19. What kind of issues are people contacting you about at this time?
    
    

20. What can managers do to support colleagues under increased pressure at work and at risk of redundancy?
    
    
21. Will people with mental health issues be the first to go if employers need to make job cuts?
    
    

22. Is the credit crunch having an effect on donations to Samaritans?
    
    
23. Is it true that Samaritans lost money as a result of the collapse of the Icelandic banks?
    
    
24. How can people contact Samaritans?