(La Porte County, IN) - Suicides are up noticeably in La Porte County.

County Coroner Lynn Swanson said 30 people have taken their lives, so far, this year compared to 25 all of  last year.

Swanson said one factor in the rising numbers might be the economy but the reasons are often not known after speaking to family members of victims.  Family members willing to discuss the situation point at times to job loss and death of a family member or friend.

“Most of the time, it’s a mystery,” she said.

Swanson said the number of suicides in La Porte County ranged from 21 to 27 the three years previous to last year.

She encouraged people contemplating suicide to contact places like the Swanson Center for help with their mental health or substance abuse or 911 in more serious cases where emergency responders can give more immediate crisis intervention.