Dr.  Michael O’Leary, Director of the Columbia County Mental Health Department, said a task force is exploring the dramatic, unprecedented spike in suicides. The task force includes both county coroners, Health Department Director Nancy Winch, Veteran’s Administration Epidemiologist Robert Bassert, and an expert consultant on suicides who works with the New York State Bridge Authority.

“We are still analyzing the information we have gathered to try to better understand what occurred last year, but so far we are not really coming up with anything that explains why it happened,” O’Leary said. The county was apparently alone in its skyrocketing number of self-inflicted deaths, making the matter more perplexing. O’Leary said that none of the neighboring counties reported similar increases in deaths by suicide nor did the state see a disproportionate increase.

“I’m really at a loss to explain it,” he said. “The suicides represented every version of known precipitator—especially the classic ones, such as serious depression, family conflict, and substance abuse. Nothing that explains the volume, and nothing that explains the high number of women using lethal means.”

The suicides took all forms, including those who jumped from a bridge, those who shot themselves, others who stepped in front of a train, and others who hanged themselves. While there were a high number of women involved, there were also men and even teenagers.  

While some suggest that the economic downturn left many distressed and even suicidal, O’Leary said he suspects it is too soon to see the devastating ramifications of the economy on mental health yet. “The economic crisis is so recent that you wouldn’t expect it to have an impact yet. That’s the next wave I am afraid,” the doctor said.

O’Leary is going to facilitate a meeting of community leaders in the coming weeks to discuss the topic. The first meeting of the group was planned for December 12 but was cancelled because of the ice storm.

“I don’t want the mental health people—I want people who can bring in some fresh views from the community. People like the village librarian, a 4-H leader, people who are out in the community and can bring a new perspective,” said O'Leary. “We are very concerned about what is going on.”

ccSCOOP will publish the date, time, and location for the meeting when it is announced.

TIPS ON WHAT TO DO:

There is no stereotype for a person who commits suicide. O’Leary offered the following advice for spotting and reacting to warning signs.

• Most suicidal people give warnings. Look for symptoms of depression, which is a very treatable illness. Other signs are if a person begins putting his or her affairs in order or starts to show unusual levels of energy.
• Warnings need to be taken seriously. Seventy-five percent of people of who commit suicide gave a warning to a family member or friend that wasn’t recognized until it was too late.

• Be willing to listen. If you are concerned about a friend, ask the person directly, “Are you thinking about suicide?” Put it into words and talk about it—but don’t get argumentative. Listen and understand.
• Engage professional help. Don’t wait for someone call for help. Seek assistance for them. Help can be found 24-hours a day at the Columbia County Mental Health Department at 828-9446.