Sen. Charles Schumer (D) is calling on the federal government to increase funding for suicide prevention programs. 

Schumer says for years, federal funding for these programs has remained flat, despite a rise in suicides. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New York alone has seen a jump in the suicide rate since 2000.

Statistics show a New Yorker takes their life every five hours. 

"We do so much about auto accidents, which kill a comparable amount of people, why aren't we doing more on suicide?" Schumer said. "The awful deaths of these well known people, Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdan, should be a wake up call."

Those who need help are urged to call the National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255. The call is free.