Economic recession and depressions are well known to bring about depression and suicidal risks. There are stories of businessmen jumping out of windows following the stock-market crash of 1929. Unknown to many, people who commits suicide in the wake of economic recessions and financial crises are not individuals with pre-existing mental illnesses. They are commonly middle-aged men in the verge of debt and bankruptcy.
About sixty percent of suicides in 2006 (worldwide) happen in the Asia Pacific region. In Japan, Sri Lanka, and some parts of China report that more than 20 out of 100,000 citizens kill themselves each year. More than twice as many in Australia and New Zealand.