McLean County Coroner Kathy Davis is drawing attention to suicides in the community. Davis says 20 people have taken their lives so far this year, with a recent cluster of four. She also says particularly for the young, suicide tends to be an impulsive act that happens within ten minutes of the idea occurring to someone. Davis says this raises the importance of family and friends paying attention and reacting with empathy and compassion.
Davis will address the issue during Sound Ideas at 11 and 6 on Thursday. She says north of Interstate 80 in Illinois there are more self killings with guns. South of I-80 hangings are more popular.
Davis says several other counties have also seen increases in suicides this year. And social service agencies report hotline calls have risen significantly.
