Whether the stress of an economic downturn results in additional strain on household budgets, added stress in marriages or hopelessness because of a lost job, depressed economies historically result in an increase in suicide nationwide, mental health officials said Tuesday.

And with the knowledge that such factors could be the tipping point for individuals already suffering from depression or other psychiatric disorders, suicide prevention officials said now is the time to watch for signs and urge neighbors and family members to seek help when needed.

Taking suicide threats seriously, as was the case with the wife of a north Midland man who alerted police Monday after receiving a call the man was heading home to complete suicide, is important, said Merily Keller, a suicide prevention consultant for Mental Health America of Texas.

Though stopping a threat from becoming reality doesn't often result in incidents like Monday's more than five-hour standoff where police were able to take the man to Midland Memorial Hospital without anyone suffering injuries, she said it's important to consider every threat valid and to urge the person to seek or to share their threat with someone who can ask them to get help.

"Anytime we're facing additional community stressors we need to take extra care to be attuned to our neighbors," she said.

And while looking for signs and not being afraid to ask someone if they're contemplating suicide are important steps, said Hospice of Midland's Ron Ellison, if someone completes suicide, their loved ones need to realize it wasn't their fault.

"If someone really intends to take their life there's not much ultimately you can do to stop it," he said.

Often when people are approached about the subject, he said, being able to talk about their situation and having someone urge them to go to counseling or treatment can be enough to change a suicidal person's thought pattern.

"A lot of times if people have a chance to talk it through and they're heard and listened to it gives them hope," Ellison said.

At its root, he and Keller said, suicide usually stems from a loss of hope that may be accentuated by a lost job, the death of a loved one, serious illness or alcohol or drug use, among other factors.

More than 33,000 suicides occur nationwide each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, making it the fourth leading cause of death for adults between 18 and 65.

Official numbers are not yet available for the current time period, Keller said, though instances typically increase during a down economy.

The most recent data available from Texas Suicide Prevention shows Midland's suicide rate at 12.6 per 100,000 - a rate higher than both the state and national averages (10 and 11.2 respectively).

Among youth between ages 10 and 15, suicide rates have more than doubled in the past decade after declining leveling off in the 1980s and early 1990s, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Part of the reason for the increases, Keller said, may be the result of a lack of communication about the issue.

"They say suicide is the new S-word," she said. "We talk about sex now but we don't talk about suicide."

Instead, she said, the devastation mental illness and depression can have should be talked about just as the dangers of drinking and driving are talking about.

While she said it's important not to focus on the details of any incidents that have occurred, it's not something that should be ignored for fear discussion of the issue may spawn additional attempts.

Ellison said it's important to keep an eye on anyone who may be suicidal but not to treat them as if they're not trusted and not to assume their issue is resolved if they've had some counseling.

About 90 percent of those who complete suicide have a diagnosable and treatable psychiatric illness, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, so urging evaluation for anyone a person is worried about is key.

Sometimes, Ellison said, signs of depression will be obvious, as a person will give away prized possessions, make peace with those around them or even seem like they're coming out of depression beforehand.

Other times, he said, the signs are not as noticeable and the person makes no indication as to their plan.

Keller said when a person really goes to take action it's usually a process that will occur within hours, not days, so even things like locking weapons and lethal prescriptions can be enough of a hitch in someone's plan to make them stop and think.

Ellison cautioned against simply telling people they can't commit suicide if they're making threats, as the response can make them feel like the person is trying to take away their choices instead of trying to understand what their pain is about.

"If someone won't agree to get some help, call 9-1-1," he said.

Kathleen Thurber can be reached at kthurber@mrt.com.

Suicide prevention lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK

Permian Basin Community Center's suicide hotlines: 570-3300

For grief support from Hospice of Midland's Inspiration Center: 699-5492