The recession led to 10,000 extra suicides in Europe and North America according to a new study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry.

The study found that said suicides had been declining in Europe until 2007 but by 2009 there was a 6.5% increase, a level that was sustained until 2011.

Deaths by suicide were also falling in Canada, but there was a marked increase when the recession took hold in 2008, leading to 240 more suicides.

The report found that the top risk factors were losing a job, having a home repossessed and being in debt.