BOSTON, MA (WBZ-AM) -- On The heels of the death of Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade from suicide, calls to national and local centers offering mental health and counseling services have spiked
According to Steven Mangeau, Executive Director for Samaritans of Boston, calls and text messages have doubled to their 24-hour call center.
"We get a lot of calls of people who are worried about a friend or a loved one," Mangeau said.
Calls had spiked by 30-percent after Thursday's Center of Disease Control report on National suicide rates.
On Friday morning following the news of Anthony Bourdain's Death - the calls doubled. Mangeau said.
According to a Thursday's report by the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention, suicide rates have risen in nearly every state from 1999 to 2016, with a nearly 30 percent rise nationally,
In Massachussetts, the suicide rate has nearly doubled since 2004 -- surpassing homicides and car accidents combined.
According to a report by the Commonwealth Department of Public Health released over the Winter of this year,
They reported that that Massachusetts saw a massive 40 percent increase in suicides between 2004 and 2014, an average increase of 3.1 percent per year.
A total of 608 Commonwealth residents died of suicide in 2014— four times higher car accident and homicide deaths.
What Can Be Done?
According to HelpGuide.org, a suicidal person may not ask for help, but that doesn't mean that help isn't wanted.
People who take their lives don't want to die—they just want to stop hurting. Suicide prevention starts with recognizing the warning signs and taking them seriously. If you think a friend or family member is considering suicide, you might be afraid to bring up the subject. But talking openly about suicidal thoughts and feelings can save a life.
Visit their suicide prevention page for further resources.
Where to Go For Help
Locally here are some additional resources.
Massachusetts Coalition For Suicide Prevention can be reached at (617)-297-8774 or info@masspreventssuicide.org
24 Hour help lines
Samaritans of Boston (Call or Text)
(877)-870-HOPE (4673)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
(800) 273 – TALK (8255)
TTY: (800) 799 - 4TTY (4889)
Listen to an extended interview with Steven Mangeau, Executive Director for Samaritans of Boston. WBZ NewsRadio1030's Laurie Kirby reports.