Depression, Suicide Rates Have Increased Due To COVID-19 Pandemic, Doctors Say

Thursday is world Suicide Prevention Day and local doctors say they are seeing a spike in suicide calls due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year the national theme of this awareness week and day is "#Bethe1to”, which means if you think someone may need help, step up and “be the one to” ask them if they are okay or need help.

For more than a decade, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline has opened their phones in an effort to combat constantly climbing suicide rates throughout the world.

You can find resources to help yourself or a loved one through depression here.

This year Parkside Psychiatry says those rates are spiking again both in Tulsa and nationally due to the stress and pressure that comes from isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Parkside officials say 90,000 people in Oklahoma will think about taking their own life this year.

Parkside's Gail Flack says today is the perfect day to learn how to check up on those who may be struggling.

"Everybody needs to learn how they can help by asking the right questions and getting good information they need from someone who is having those suicidal thoughts,” Flack says.

Click here for information on how to contact Parkside about treatment or assessment options.

Flack says you need to be direct when talking to someone about suicide because there’s no time to waste when it comes to someone’s life.