Christian Charity Says More People Consider Suicide as Debt Rises
A disturbing trend is emerging as the global economic turmoil persists. Recessions worldwide are revealing the growing strain individuals and families face, causing many to contemplate the unthinkable: suicide.
Today marks World Suicide Prevention Day and to combat this growing problem, Christians Against Poverty, a charity dedicated to help those who find themselves burdened with debt, recently asked 1,500 people their feelings before they received help for their debt situation.
To highlight this growing issue, the debt counseling charity released the results on a day meant to showcase this troubling occurrence.
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Unfortunately, 40 percent of those asked revealed they had contemplated or even tried to commit suicide.
"Significant changes in circumstance can trap people into debt – job loss, illness and relationship breakdown are common ones – but these are emotional issues as well as financial and can lead to feelings of deep despair as the debt spirals and life becomes unbearable," Matt Barlow, Christians Against Poverty's Chief Executive, told Christianity Today.
"Most worryingly, the number of new clients who have told us they were feeling suicidal has risen by three per cent in a single year," he added.
One of those interviewed for the survey included a mother of two from England who struggled with rising debts after she separated from her husband.
"I got depressed because of a lot of things, the debts and the feeling that I'd let my sons down … you feel guilty which leads to depression. The doctor put me on medication and one night, I tried to commit suicide," according to the mother who wished to remain anonymous.
She received financial counseling from the charity and now is on secure financial footing as she helps those who find themselves in a position she was once in.
"Each day I feel I'm blessed for another day … now I'm a woman who is out and about, always helping everyone else," she added.
