GREELEY, Colo.—In Weld County, where there are usually two or three suicides each month, there have been at least nine suicides in the past 45 days.
Three other cases could be determined as suicides after the investigations are complete.
Coroner’s officials, police and suicide support groups have no firm explanation for the sudden jump.
In September 2006, there was one suicide in Weld County; this September there were at least eight, spanning various age groups, the Greeley Tribune reported. There were five in nearby Larimer County, or about average.
“I’ve read many suicide notes over the years,” said Weld County Deputy Coroner Mark Ward. “I’ve never seen one that really gave the answer, ‘Why?’ ”
Suicide Education and Support Services of Weld County executive director Herb Angle encourages people to get help for friends who may talk about suicide before they try.
Warning signs can include serious depression, fatigue, or a change in appetite, weight, work or school performance, or sleeping habits. A loss of interest in a favorite activity, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and giving away prized possessions are other signals.
“Family or friends knew their loved one was thinking about suicide, knew they would talk about it, knew they had a gun or another way to kill themselves,” County Chief Deputy Coroner Tom Shimp said. “They just need to tell someone and get their loved one some help.”
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Information from: Greeley Tribune,
