Suicides hit a record high in St. Tammany

Middle-aged white men are killing themselves in record numbers in St. Tammany Parish. Five people committed suicide in July – four of them in a 48-hour period last week. It’s the highest number in a single month this year. It’s also the most ever seen in that particular month since the St. Tammany Outreach for the Prevention of Suicide started keeping records seven years ago. So far this year, the parish has had 15 suicides – 13 of them white males. But apparently no single element – say, the economy – is to blame. One involved post-Katrina finances, one substance abuse, one chronic illness and one depression. “They’re all entirely different,” says Cheri Carter, president of STOPS and executive director of the Mental Health Association of St. Tammany. “But they are consistently white males predominantly in their 40s and 50s.” STOPS offers resources to those considering suicide and outreach to family survivors of those who commit suicide. The organization is currently seeking volunteers [who will receive proper training] to comfort and counsel families and other survivors. For more information, call 985-237-5506. – Penny Font