Calls to suicide hotlines in Mass. are on the rise

BOSTON (AP) - Experts say the poor economy is prompting more despairing Massachusetts residents to call suicide hotlines.

The Samaritans Inc.'s suicide and depression hotline took 11,000 calls statewide last month, a 31 percent increase over the 8,400 calls it took in February 2008.

Roberta Hurtig, executive director of The Samaritans, said in a published report that calls to the organization are up 5,500 overall this year compared to the first two months of last year.

She says people are anxious about losing their jobs, or have already lost their jobs and are concerned about the ability to take care of their family.

Debbie Helms, director of The Samaritans of Merrimack Valley, says the number of first time callers is up 75 percent.

http://www.thedailyitemoflynn.com/articles/2009/03/09/updates/doc49b4f27cd4210447800539.txt

I could be one of these people.