(La Porte County, IN) - The suicide rate in La Porte County continues to climb.

La Porte County Coroner Lynn Swanson said eight suicides have already occurred this year after the number of people taking their lives rose from 21 to 33 last year.  She said her office is now offering information to families of suicide victims on where they can go to get help.

“Places they can call to speak to someone about mental health, about grieving.  Anything to promote some help out here for these people,” she said.

Swanson said information is also being gathered to distribute for helping with suicide prevention.

“How to speak to people about suicides.  What to say, what to offer them.  Things like that.  Hopefully, the numbers will start going down soon,” she said.

Swanson said some loved ones of suicide victims take their own lives from lack of ability to cope.