The Great Depression and Suicide Rates
By: Eva L.
There was panic on the street the day of the collapse. The Stock Exchange lost approximately 14 billion dollars that day. When the Stock Market closed that day the whole country was shaken, no one was sure what happened. Stock transactions in that time were printed on ticker tape and thirteen million shares; the ticker tape machine did not stop running until four hours after the market closed. Many suicide deaths have even attributed to the Crash of 1929. According to the stories, people had felt so distraught over losing everything that they had chosen to take their own lives rather than accept the consequences of that horrible day. There is no evidence that anyone jumped to their death on that day. Several deaths were associated with that day…..someone had a heart attack watching the numbers at this brokers office, one chose death by gas, and another chose to end his life with a gun. These rumors of investors jumping out of buildings spread through Wall Street, although they weren't true, they drove the prices down even further. It was during the years of the Great Depression that the suicide rate increased. The poor were hurt the most and they were more bewildered than angry. Many sank into despair and shame after they could not find jobs. The suicide rates increased from 14 to 17 per 100,000. It was not until the start of WWII that the Depression ended.
Reference:
The Eleanor Roosevelt Papers.” The Great Depression." Teaching Eleanor Roosevelt, ed. by Allida Black, June Hopkins, et. al. (Hyde Park, New York: Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site, 2003). http://www.nps.gov/archive/elro/glossary/great-depression.htm [Accessed April 9, 2010].
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