AN upsurge in suicides in Hawaii has prompted large crowds at two meetings. Agencies dealing with the problem should be braced as the state continues into a gloomy economy. While causes of suicide vary, the stress caused by financial difficulties is a frequent trigger that grows as the economy slumps.

Hawaii's rate of about 10 suicides per 100,000 people in recent years is slightly below the national average of 11 out of 100,000 people in 2005, the most recent year in which data is available. The nation's highest suicide rate was 17 out of 100,000 in 1932, when the unemployment rate peaked at 25 percent.

The state Department of Health's suicide hot line received 9,700 calls in September after averaging fewer than 9,000 calls a month, according to state epidemiologist Dan Galanis. He said it is not clear that the increase could be tied to the financial crisis, but the economic meltdown should not be disregarded.

Depression and anxiety are among several suicidal motivations, which also include reckless behavior, increased alcohol or drug use and a family history of suicides. But a sinking economy's result in job loss or mortgage foreclosure obviously is an aggravating factor.

The American Psychological Association reports that eight out of 10 Americans say they are increasingly stressed about being able to provide for their family's basic needs, up from 66 percent in April. Not surprisingly, a survey showed earlier this year that money and job loss were greater sources of stress in beleaguered Detroit, where crisis line calls have risen about 20 percent.

Suicide in Hawaii occurs an average of once every three days, but most go unreported due to the news media's policy of publicizing only those that occur in public, involve prominent people or are murder-suicides. The recent meetings were prompted by six suicides last month on Kauai, including three teenagers in Anahola.

Baby boomers and those older are most likely to be stressed out by the economy, according to psychologists, although younger people are not immune. While the evidence is anecdotal, Steven Stack, a Wayne State University researcher of suicidal trends, says French psychologist Emile Durkheim got it right a century ago in arguing that the most suicidal are those who lose great fortunes and have farthest to fall.

As the economy worsens, people experiencing stress should heed the advice of Katherine Nordal, APA's executive director for professional practice. She encourages them to “;refrain from getting caught up in doom-and-gloom hype”; and “;reach out to family, friends and trusted advisers. Research shows that receiving support from others is effective in managing stress.”;