Suicides surge in Benton County in seven weeks since coronavirus outbreak
The number of suicides in Benton County spiked since the middle of March.
Fourteen people died by suicide so far this year in the county. And eight of the deaths were between March 12 and April 23, Benton County Coroner Bill Leach said.
The increase coincides with the tightening of social and work restrictions to slow the spread of the new coronavirus and the respiratory illness it causes, COVID-19.
And while Leach said he can’t link the local deaths directly to those stresses, experts have predicted a likely increase in suicides in the U.S. and globally because of the pandemic.
A combination of an economic downturn and being disconnected from people and institutions can feed feelings of hopelessness and increase the risk of suicides, University of Washington Professor Jennifer Stuber, who heads Forefront Suicide Prevention, said in a recent KIRO interview.
Men in their 30s and 40s have made up most of the recent suicides in Benton County.
And though last week a 52-year-old Pasco man died after jumping onto Highway 395 from an overpass, Franklin County has not had a similar increase in suicides, Coroner Curtis McGary said.
Kennewick police, however, report a growing number of calls about suicidal threats or concerns about people who might harm themselves.
“It is a stressful and uncertain time and most people have not experienced anything like it,” Leach said. “There is a lot of conflicting and confusing information that people are receiving from different sources. There are places that they can seek help.”
Lowering suicide risk
Forefront Suicide Prevention, the University of Washington’s center that is aimed at addressing suicide and mental health, said reducing suicide risk in the days of COVID-19 has not changed.
“Let’s be proactive in looking out for each other and making our homes safe during Stay Home, Save Lives physical distancing,” center officials said in a recent Tweet.
Anyone in immediate danger of harming themselves should call 911, says the center.
There are other services available for people needing help.
Call the Lourdes Crisis line at 509-783-0500 or the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. Or, text 741741.
Forefront offered several warning signs to watch for in family and friends, including someone:
- Talking about wanting to die.
- Talking about feeling trapped or wanting to escape.
- Showing anger or irritability.
- Becoming isolated and withdrawn.
- Feelings of being a burden to others.
- Increasing sleep difficulties.
- No interest in favorite things.
The center also provides steps people can take to help loved ones, including listening, asking them if they are considering suicide and removing the danger.
This story was originally published April 26, 2020 at 1:42 PM.