Orlando-area suicides rising

While suicides need to be looked at in hard times, we cannot forget about other health problems. Less than a week after my brother lost his job in October 2008, he died of a massive heart attack. He was 56. The stress of losing his job was just too much for him. He wasn't feeling well, popped a few "pills" of his nitroglycerine but refused to go to the hospital. He told my sister-in-law there was no point because they would just keep him in the hospital for observation then send him home, but he had a job interview for the next day. She went to take a shower and by the time she came back down the stairs, he was gone.

Some companies offer help for people they have to let go simply because they understand that these are not just jobs involved, but in many cases, a sense of identity, security, or a life's work. I think they all should do the same. Then there are suicide cases that also need to be looked at so that someone can step up and set up some kind of support to help people through extremely troubled times.

Orlando-area suicides rising
As financial woes mount, more deaths can be expected, an expert predicts
By Rene Stutzman

Sentinel Staff Writer

August 7, 2009
In 1933, during the toughest year of the Great Depression, America's suicide rate spiked. Now, public health officials are watching to see whether suicide rates climb as more and more people lose their jobs and homes. Last year was a difficult one for the economy in Central Florida, and 567 people killed themselves, a 13 percent jump over the year before, according to state and county death records.

If the unemployment rate continues to climb and hard times linger, there's a strong likelihood even more people will take their own lives, according to Steven John Stack, a professor of sociology and suicide expert at Wayne State University in Detroit.

"The evidence is that as the unemployment rate increases, there's an uptick in the suicide rate over time," Stack said.

Central Florida's unemployment rate last month rose to 10.8 percent, more than double what it was two years ago, according to state labor statistics.

On May 6, a Maitland woman jumped from the top floor of the Orange County Courthouse parking lot, falling 76 feet to her death.

Why Siu Fong Ng, 50, killed herself and why she chose such a public place are not clear. She left no note.
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Orlando-area suicides rising