Suicide rates among middle-aged Americans have apparently risen sharply in the past decade, so says The New York Times. More Americans now die of suicide than car accidents. The greatest increases have been among males in their 50s. Researchers acknowledge that the reasons are complex and varied. But two factors seem to stand out: stresses of the recession and the easy availability of prescription painkillers. One other factor may be significant: Baby boomers had great expectations for how well their lives would be, but for most it didn’t turn out that way. Looking at the ebb and surge of socially…