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Monday, March 7, 2022

Suicides on the Increase, March 7, 1922

The Suicide Crop Is Greatly on Increase. . . Ages of Suicides Range All the Way From 5 to 100 Years With Males in the Lead

New York, March 5—Reaction following the war was blamed tonight by the Save-A-Life League for the large number of suicides in 1921, 20,000 of which were estimated to have taken place in this country. The number of cases brought to the league’s attention was 12,144, of which 8, 410 were males and 3,734 females.

“This waste of life, the result of recent disturbed economic conditions and the aftermath of war,” said a report by Harry M. Warren, president of the league, “has caused commercial failures, loss of employment and much real suffering. The growing complexity of our modern life, the feverish unrest, crimes, divorces, questionable dress, unhappy home relations, the decline of religious sentiment, and other things have caused deranged nerves, depressions and less self-control. With improved business which is sure to come, the suicide rate will be reduced and prosperity and happiness will return.” One of the striking features of the report is the increase in the number of suicides of children which was 477 in 1919, 707 in 1920 and 858 in 1921. There also were 509 war veterans among the suicides last year.

All classes of society were included in the list of those who took their own lives. There were 10 editors, 40 students, 51 school teachers, 21 clergymen, 39 brokers, 57 judges and lawyers, 86 physicians, 7 mayors, 88 heads of large corporations, 76 millionaires, 30 wealthy women, and 99 bankers, including 37 bank presidents. The oldest suicide was 100 years old and the youngest 5 years.

All sorts of reasons were given by the victims. One man hung himself because his wife was “too good” for him; another because his wife was spending all his money; another because he cold not stand the noise of a neighbor’s piano, and another because his wife refused to kiss him.

One spinster took poison, leaving a note that “no man in the world is good enough for me.” And a mother took her life because her son would not marry to please her. One man left a note stating “beware of grass widows,” and another killed himself for “the good of the I.W.W.” In New York city there were 840 suicides last year, an increase of 103 over 1920. Ireland has fewer suicides than any other country on earth, Mr. Warren declared in his comment on world conditions. Germany leads the world, especially in child suicide. Japan has many thousands of suicides annually, and China is said to half a million every year.

From the front page of The Monroe Journal, March 7, 1922

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