Suicide Rate vs Economy Issues ‘The Sad Truth’
May 21, 2009 | Posted by bryan | 0 Comments
A higher proportion of men than women are feeling the strain of the economic turbulence, according to research from mental health organisation Mind.
In its latest report, Mind notes that middle-aged men in particular are at risk, as they are seen to be seven times more likely to consider suicide than women.
This goes alongside the statistic that women are twice as likely to share any worries they have with a friend as men.
Overall, more than a third (37 per cent) of men are believed to currently be feeling low about their finances or the wider economy.
Mind adds that these are not empty statistics – three-quarters of suicide attempts are carried out by men.
And while it is believed that both sexes suffer similar rates of depression and mental illness, the diagnosis rate for men is far lower, the organisation points out.
This manifests itself in double the likelihood for men to turn to alcohol to overcome feeling low when compared with women.
Mind chief executive Paul Farmer suggests that the typical role of men as the highest earner in a family is partly to blame.
He explains that, if men become unemployed due to economic circumstances, they can lose a significant part of their personality.
Mr Farmer concludes that there is “a need” for men to recognise the benefits of sharing their concerns with those around them – and with more formal support services.
In an attempt to approach men on terms that they would find receptive, Mind recently hosted a comedy night aimed at encouraging men with issues to “get it off your chest”.