The Summer of Love is long gone for Baby Boomers, who now appear to be experiencing a Season of Suicides. "So many expected to be in better health and to be better off than they are," said Julie Phillips, lead author of a new study examining changes in suicide rates. "Surveys suggest they had high expectations. Things haven't worked out that way in middle age." Historically, the elderly have the highest rates of suicide, but beginning in 2005, middle-aged Americans (45-64) surged to the top of the suicide charts; in 2007, they experienced 17.2 suicides per thousand people.
Experts believe there may be something peculiar to boomers, coupled with a trouble economy, that's pushing the middle-aged over the edge, notes CNN. "We grew up thinking we were special," said Richard Croker, author of The Boomer Century. "Somehow, we metamorphosed from peace, love and happiness to a me generation. We started accumulating wealth. Now, we're beginning to look around" and ask: "What's it all about?" (More suicide stories.)
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