Suicide Rate Sharply Rose in Last Decade Among White, Middle-Aged Adults: Is the Recession to Blame?

Health officials believe that suicides among middle-aged Americans have climbed a startling rate over the past decade, which may be partly due to the recession. Overall, the suicide rate has jumped for the age group up to 28 percent from 1999 to 2010. And among caucasions, it rose 40 percent.

Researchers believe that more emotional trauma in these groups may have stemmed from the recession, particularly for those 35 to 64. Experts also note that white Baby Boomers have always had a higher suicide rate.

However, it's important to note that the suicide rates for younger and older people did not change, and among middle-aged black and Hispanic cultures, there was also little discrepancies.

"Suicide is a tragedy that is far too common," said CDC Director Tom Frieden, according to Reuters. "This report highlights the need to expand our knowledge of risk factors so we can build on prevention programs that prevent suicide." 

The most common ways people killed themselves were by using firearms, poison - often by overdosing on drugs - and suffocation, typically by hanging, a method for which the suicide rate increased by 81 percent between 1999 and 2010. 

The numbers are from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.