Freddie Mac CFO Found Dead, Suicide Suspected

Reports are flying around that David Kellermann, acting CFO of Freddie Mac, has been found dead, the cause apparently being suicide. Freddie Mac hasn’t reported much good news in recent years, but this takes the cake in terms of negativity. I’ll never know what was going on in Mr. Kellermann’s personal life, but one question on my mind is:

Did Freddie Mac push him over the edge?

I can’t imagine working as the acting CFO of Freddie Mac is an enjoyable job when you think about the crappy housing market. It’s probably a 24/7, non-stop stream of putting out fires, dealing with politicians, and trying to placate the public – enough to make anyone mad.

It’s a sad reality that the poor economy is taking a toll on people’s mental health. Here’s an interesting report from the NY Times:

In an American Psychological Association poll in September, 80 percent reported the economy’s causing significant stress, up from 66 percent last April. The National Sleep Foundation said 27 percent of people surveyed last fall had sleeplessness because of economic anxiety.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline calls jumped to 50,158 in January 2009 from 39,465 a month in January 2008, and economic stress more frequently “played a central role,” said Richard McKeon, the group’s federal project officer.

And it’s not just Americans:

A poll of 2,246 people found that 77 per cent of respondents believed the world had become a more dangerous place and that 37 per cent felt "more frightened and anxious."

When asked about the financial crisis, a huge 66 per cent said that they experienced "fear or anxiety" about the future.

Anxiety UK, the largest anxiety disorders charity, revealed that it had received double its normal number of calls in the first two months of the year.

So if you’re feeling down because of the recession, try to remember that you’re not the only one, and help is out there. There’s always a better solution than death.