Every year in New York, around 1,700 people make the decision to end their own lives, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Recent numbers are flagging an uptick in Western New York, the first since numbers started trending down in 2019.
According to numbers from Erie County, 2024 saw a nearly 20% increase in deaths by suicide, from 78 to 94.
"You could have 10 people in a room all experiencing similar hardships and traumas, and nine of them, suicide might be the furthest thing from their mind," said Gerra Lloyd-Lester, the coordinator of community and coalition initiatives for the Suicide Prevention Center of New York. "For somebody else, for reasons that are unique to the individual, suicide might become an option."
State and county officials say you can never really know why a person makes the decision to take their life, but what we do know is the breakdown.
It’s mostly those 40 and older and mostly men, who typically use a more lethal method, like a gun.
“One suicide is one too many,” said Lloyd-Lester.
Everyone has their bad days, but when those bad days keep piling on, it can be hard to see a way out. That can lead to tragedy.
“Sometimes a suicide attempt can be done within a very short time frame," said Celia Spacone, the coordinator for the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Erie County. "A suicidal crisis sometimes passes. For about half of the people, it might pass in a short time frame.”
County and state numbers both show men make up about 75% to 80% of suicides.
A big chunk are those between 40 and 60 years old.
While suicide prevention efforts are targeting young Black men, those in rural areas, and women who are intentionally overdosing, getting through to men is a priority.
“We know that men tend to use more lethal means, which tends to be firearms," said Lloyd-Lester. "So the the initiatives tend to be focused around a couple of different things. One is empowering an individual to safely secure their firearms.”
Places like Crisis Services offer free gun locks and a list of places to safely and temporarily store your gun if you’re experiencing hardship.
Some places offer that for free, and all are no questions asked. Plus, there's an easy way to get them back when you’re ready.
“You don't have to get a psych evaluation or anything like that, and you don't have to explain why you're putting it in storage," Spacone explained. "There's typically no formal process to get it back. Sometimes they rerun the background check and that would be the only thing that would have to be done.”
The Erie County Department of Health numbers show the highest rates of suicide are among construction workers.
The issue is being seen across the industry, with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration reporting the suicide rate for construction workers is four times higher than in the general population.
That's why professions have fun knick-knacks with the 988 number on them. It's something small to lessen the stigma.
“Make that 988 call, or the call to Crisis Services directly," said Spacone. "I've had people tell me stories about actually thinking about suicide and being interrupted and then, within that few minute time frame, rethinking the decision and not making that attempt.”
Last year the Crisis Services location in Buffalo alone got 78,000 calls to 988, which you can call 24/7.
Considering there were 94 suicides in that same time span, it shows that there are ways to make that difference.
“Our goal is zero suicide,” Spacone said.
On top of resources for people to reach out to themselves, if you see someone struggling, just be there for them. Check in and ask if they’re OK.
Generally speaking, compared to other states, New York does have low rates of suicide, but every single one matters.
Experts say they estimate every death by suicide impacts 100 other people.
If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide call 988 the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number. In Erie County, you can call Crisis Services directly at (716) 834-3131.
