SIR – Re the tragic suicide of Martin Donlan, painter and decorator, inCleckheaton (T&A, December 8) More and more people are becoming depressed and worried about lack of work and financial problems.
According to the Office of National Statistics, the number of suicides in the UK has risen sharply since the recession began – reversing the downward trend of the last decade.
Current Government policy where people are losing their jobs and losing their benefits leaves people vulnerable and concerned that they are not able to provide for themselves and their families. It's time for us all to challenge the idea that taking your own life is always due to an individual's personal situation and character.
There has been a six per cent rise in suicides between 2007 and 2008,when the economic downturn started to bite. Ireland and Greece have seen their suidide rates increase by 13 per cent and 17 per cent respectively – two countries which have been severely hit by the recession. In the US, the unemployed suicide rate is 2-3 times the national average.
Losing your job can mean losing your friends, your routine and your purpose. These losses can be reasons for people to take their own lives. Human beings are not just numbers and statistics. If a disease was resulting in a six per cent increase in deaths something would be done about it! Unemployment is a public health issue.
Our elected representatives need to hear about these stories of loss. That might help them to make the connections.
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