Tough financial austerity measures in Greece have led to a 35% spike in suicide rates in two years says a study published in Medscape Medical news. “Our main finding was that after 2010, when harsh austerity measures were implemented in Greece, we noted a significant increase in suicide rates for the years 2011 and 2012 in comparison to the period between 2003 and 2010,” George Rachiotis, MD, PhD, assistant professor of epidemiology and occupational hygiene, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece.

“In addition, we found that there was a significant correlation between suicide rates with an increase in unemployment in Greece, where unemployment has almost doubled [since 2009] and is now approaching 30%.” By February 2012, 20,000 additional Greeks had been rendered homeless and 20% of shops in the historic center of Athens were empty. Hardest hit were working-aged men from 20 to 59 years of age with increased suicides from 6.56-8.81% per 100,000 population in 2011-2012.

“Austerity heightens suicide risks directly by creating job losses, especially among public sector workers, and by increasing economic insecurity,” said Dr. Rachiotis.