AFP

MILAN ITALIANS have been taking their own lives at an alarming rate as a result of the economic crisis in recent weeks, forcing a business group to put in place a dedicated psychological assistance network.

Daily media reports have thrown the spotlight on the desperation of small business owners, workers and unemployed people who have lost hope as the economy struggles through recession and unemployment reaches record highs of 9.3 percent.

One of the most shocking cases was the self-immolation last month of a 58-year-old builder in Bologna in central Italy who was under pressure over unpaid taxes. He died of his burns in hospital after nine days of agony.

In the latest case on Thursday, a 53-year-old farmer was found hanged in his farm building in northeast Italy, leaving behind a wife and four children. He had told friends and relatives that his business was in serious financial trouble.

The leader of the centre-right People of Freedom party, Angelino Alfano, pointed to “a wave of suicides linked to economic difficulties.” Sergio Marchionne, chief executive of Fiat, Italy’s biggest private company, said: “This is the reflection of an unsustainable situation.”