By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – A year-end report shows suicides locally continue to trend upward, a statistic that is troubling for the Lewis County coroner.
“It’s not skyrocketing, but nine during 2011, and 14 the next year and 16 the next year that have taken their own lives,” Coroner Warren McLeod said.
“It’s a concern,” he said.
The coroner’s office tracks all deaths that occur in the county and is responsible for determining their cause and manner. Last year, the coroner counted 714 deaths in all. The vast majority of cases are ascribed to natural disease processes.
McLeod said he may sit down with the county medical officer and the folks from Cascade Mental Health – as they are often the ones who often deal with suicidal individuals before the end – and perhaps talk about conducting another public awareness campaign.
It’s something that is potentially preventable, according to McLeod.
One thing he knows to be true, McLeod said, is if you ask someone if they are suicidal, they will usually say yes if they are.
As in the past, one of the most used methods is with firearms, according to the coroner. Hanging is second, he said.
McLeod says can’t answer why the number is going up, and he and his office don’t always figure out a person’s reasons for committing suicide.
In general, less than 20 percent leave a suicide note, he said.
“The ones I know the motive, a lot of times it’s relationship issues,” McLeod said. “And sometimes health issues with older persons.”
McLeod finalized his annual report [1] yesterday.
During 2013, 16 deaths were attributed to suicide in Lewis County.
Eighteen deaths during the same period were found to be accidental, compared with 19 the year before.
And 2013 saw only one homicide, whereas 2012 saw four.
Four cases from last year are undetermined as to the manner of death, where there was not enough forensic evidence to label them otherwise, according to McLeod.
His office has already responded to two deaths by suicide this year.
In September, the corner’s office partnered with the county department of public health and social services as well as Cascade Mental Health to educate the public about the signs and symptoms of impending suicide, and publicized the available resources.
Cascade offers what McLeod called 24/7 crisis services in Lewis County at no cost. The phone number is 360-330-9044.