Oklahoma Suicides Increase as Funding for Prevention Programs Declines

By Rusty Surette, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- There's alarming news on the number of suicides in the state of Oklahoma.

HeartLine, a non-profit organization based in Oklahoma City, reported calls for suicide assistance have more than doubled already this year compared to last year's numbers.

"Calls are up 65 percent for the first quarter of this year," said HeartLine Executive Director Tom Taylor.

Taylor said the economy has been partially to blame.

"A lot of people are experiencing a loss of jobs, a loss of income. It's something we've seen on the coasts, but it's finally hitting home here in Oklahoma," Taylor said.

Another troubling trend this year has been the number of suicides that are taking place in public places.

This week a woman at a Midwest City Wal-Mart tried setting herself on fire. Last week, a man jumped to his death from a parking garage in downtown, and earlier this year a man living at the Regency Tower in downtown jumped from the 12th floor to commit suicide.

"By doing it this way, it may be the only way they could express how much pain they had," Taylor said. "It's their way of saying no one noticed their pain, and this is how they're going to take care of it."

Funding for HeartLine comes from private donations and state funding, and funds are down due to the economy. Taylor said HeartLine has taken a 20 percent cut from the funds it receives from the state. Taylor said now's not the time to be cutting back especially when lives are literally on the line.

HeartLine volunteers are staffed around the clock. In addition to the suicide calls, they also answer calls made to 211 and for Oklahomans seeking help with gambling addiction.

If you or someone you know is thinking of suicide, please call 211 or 1-800-273-8255.

Learn more information on how to volunteer