This worsening economy always brings out either the worst or the best in people.  Unfortunately, at times, the worst comes to the fore and hopefully that will be the exception and not the rule. 

Let’s talk about job loss.  That is stressful but when coupled with monthly bills that need to be paid, the stress is compounded.  The companies, in a lot of cases, will not work with you until you are seriously behind in payments.  Your credit is ruined; they see to that.  You have kept these companies abreast of your financial situation even prior to your pending job loss.  There is no mercy.  You see no way out.  Suicide pops into your mind more than once.   And for some – that is the final eventuality. 

Committing suicide has to be the most lonely act performed by anyone.  A person really isn’t thinking of the long lasting effects after this act is committed.  All this person has come to realize is that the “world would be better off” without him/her. 

That is so untrue!!  The family and friends are devastated.  No amount of words can be spoken which seems right for that moment.  And if the economy was the reason – no credit card company or late payment is worth taking your life.

There are ways you can cope, though not recommended by the majority of professionals. 

• The four walls – mortgage/rent, utilities, food, transportation all need to be paid. (Note the safe haven four walls denote)
• Call and inform all of your creditors of your predicament.  They are not life threatening predicaments, but they will need to be addressed.
• If no help is forthcoming, you will need to realize that the creditors will receive a “wake up” call when no payments have been received by you.  In the meantime, they will continue to tack on late payments and continued monthly payment due.  Almost as if they have become aggressive in a passive way to get you to pay.
• Within a reasonable amount of time, offer them a solution.  Never let the credit companies feel that you are shirking your responsibility.  You are not.  Your financial history is changing and for the most part, not to the good.  But time does have a way to heal all financial ruin.  Unfortunately, if you are close to retirement, it may take longer.  But you will heal, financially and emotionally.
• Suicide does not recognize time.  The pain will always be there for family and friends. 

Creditors owing will not take the responsiblity of your final act.  Their constant phone calls eliciting the help of bill collectors can be quite unnerving.  An aggressive tactic on their part.  To keep your sanity, emphatically state that you will not accept the bill collectors’ phone calls.  And if you are working at a job, emphatically state that no phone calls will be made to your employer.  There are legal actions you can take.  Make use of them.

But above all, do not take such a drastic action as suicide to get out of your problems, which in most cases have been inflated by a mind crippled by this worsening economy.  Intimidation is most often used by credit card companies and their bed partners, the bill collectors.  Attempt to put these people in perspective…It can be done but will require immense amount of self control. 

I write this because of knowing someone who committed suicide due to mounting debts and no job.  I lost a “family” member and her parents and family are devastated.