Tulsa Suicide Rate May Break Record This Year

Tulsa is set to have a record number of suicides this year. There were 80 in all of last year and we are already at 80 so far this year.

Detectives worry we'll end the year at around 100, which would be the highest year ever. No one can really explain the increase, but experts want people to know help is available.

Oklahoma ranks 10th in the nation for suicides. No matter how bleak things seem, it's easy to find hope and help.. It's just a phone call away, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Suicides are devastating for the family members and friends left behind. The elderly are the highest risk population although the age ranges in Tulsa for this year are 16 all the way to 86.

The vast majority were white men, who used a gun. There were 12 women this year. Crime Scene Investigators go to each scene and collect evidence.

"The Crime scene unit works it just like a homicide, they take photos and make diagrams, even if there is a note," said Tulsa Police Sgt Dave Walker.

Police say notes are left in fewer than half the case. They say a history of mental illness is common, along with drug or alcohol abuse.

They say many people are either facing criminal charges, going through a relationship break-up or are in bad health. Many times, families don't want to accept the idea of a loved one's suicide.

"I grieve with them, feel sorry for them, but, legally, it is what it is sometimes. As far as it being unusual, it's an unusual act for anyone so it is out of character to kill themselves, so families do have a hard time, anybody would," Walker said.

COPES runs a crisis line for people in need, 24 hours a day, and seven days a week. Of their 6,000 calls each year, about 2,000 of them deal with suicide.

"People are in such deep psychological pain, they cannot see past the moment. Death looks like a good option. We'd like to instill hope and give them options so they don't feel they have to end their lives to escape the pain," said Stacie Barnett of COPES.

She says people talk about health disease and cancer, but people are uncomfortable talking about suicide, even though it takes tens of thousands of lives a year in our country.

Stacie says they're not generally as busy with suicidal calls during the holidays, but they do see an increase after the holidays. May is the worst month nationally for completed suicides.

COPES stands for Community Outreach Psychiatric Services. Their crisis line is 918-744-4800.