LONDON - BRITAIN'S worsening economic downturn could lead to a rise in the number of people committing suicide, a charity which offers emotional support for people in distress warned on Thursday.

According to the Samaritans, people who are unemployed are two to three times more likely to die by suicide than those with jobs, with men more at risk than women.

'Economic recession, especially when it is sudden and severe, can lead to an increase in suicide rates,' said Prof Stephen Platt, a professor of health policy research at Edinburgh University and a Samaritans' trustee.

'The fear of losing one's job and pressures caused by a downturn in business, demotion or pension plan cutbacks can be bad for mental health and therefore increase suicide risk.'

The charity said that of the 2.8 million contacts it receives each year, by e-mail, letter, phone and face-to-face means, one in 10 concern financial issues.

Britain's economic picture has worsened drastically in recent months - official data has shown that the economy contracted for the first time in 15 years in the three months to September.

More recently, the Office for National Statistics said on Wednesday that the number of people claiming jobless benefits leapt in November by the biggest monthly amount for more than 17 years. -- AFP