The suicide rate in the Santa Clarita Valley has nearly doubled in the first five months of 2016 compared to the same time frame last year, prompting concern among local agencies and mental health experts.

A total of 17 suicides have been reported this year to date, nearly twice as many as the nine reported in the first five months of 2015, Capt. Roosevelt Johnson of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station confirmed Monday.

“Obviously, it’s an issue. We don’t hide from issues,” Johnson said. “If we recognize something, we’re working on it and we’re trying to resolve this as best we can.”

In addition to raising awareness through social media and providing specialized training to approximately 75 percent of local deputies, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department also created what’s known as the MET team, or mental evaluation team, last year.

“They respond to all the calls involving something related to mental illness or suicide attempts,” Johnson explained. “They also help with follow up, the after care. They follow up with the patients down the road to make sure that they get long-term care.”

Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station officials are also working with the Santa Clarita Blue Ribbon Subcommittee Task Force on Suicide Prevention “to talk about this issue and see if there are any other things that we can do,” Johnson added.

The average demographic of these deaths in the Santa Clarita Valley matches that of an older white male, with the majority of this year’s suicides committed by white male adults, and 10 of the 17 committed by individuals 40 and over, according to statistics provided by the city of Santa Clarita.

“The more we know about who’s doing this, the better we can target information and help to them,” said Gail Morgan, a city spokesperson. “That’s why we look at these statistics.”

Cary Quashen, executive director of the Behavioral Health Unit at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, attributed this demographic to factors like loneliness, financial difficulties and health issues.

“There’s more baby boomers that are getting older and lonely,” Quashen said. “Suicide is never the answer. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.”

Related: Sheriff’s, COC, County Officials Discuss Mental Health Resources

Quashen stressed the importance of raising awareness in the Santa Clarita community and paying attention to the warning signs in friends and family members.

“We have to speak about it more. It can’t be a taboo subject,” he said. “As a society, we need to pay attention to our family, friends and loved ones (and) make sure that we reach out and touch people.”

A potentially suicidal person may give what Quashen called “clues” as to how they’re feeling, such as making statements like, “The world would be better without me,” or “You don’t need me around.” The person may also do things like give away their belongings or isolate themselves from others.

“We need to pay attention to that and we need to listen,” he said. “The worst thing somebody can say to somebody suicidal is to say, ‘Get over it. You don’t have it that bad.’”

If a person notices these signs in a friend or family member, Quashen advises them to talk to the person without judgement; listen instead of lecture; give hope; and always take it seriously.

“When somebody even mentions suicide, it’s something that we must take serious. We can’t take it lightly,” he said. “If somebody’s afraid for a family member, friend or loved one that is in jeopardy of hurting themselves … don’t hold onto it.”

Local organizations that can provide professional help include the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, the SCV Child & Family Center, the SCV Youth Project, members of the clergy and others.

“At Henry Mayo, we’re open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,” Quashen said. “Anybody at any time that is feeling any of those helpless, hopeless kind of feelings can walk into the E.R. day or night and get evaluated and (get) alternatives and support.”

The Child & Family Center works in partnership with Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital to provide ongoing behavioral health services for those in immediate crisis, regardless of their insurance coverage, according to Dr. Joan Aschoff, the organization’s CEO.

“If they’re having thoughts of harming themselves, they certainly can call here and we have behavioral health experts that can see them,” she said.

Roosevelt noted that residents can either stop in the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, call the station’s main line or dial 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency for help.

“We’ll send a deputy out, they don’t necessarily have to come to the station,” he said. “Our goal is to try to get them the help that they need, and if that means taking that person in to have them evaluated for 72 hours, to get them the (assistance) that they need, then that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”

Those concerned for themselves or others can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24/7 at 1-800-273-8255.

“Awareness really is everything. When somebody is feeling suicidal, it’s one of the most helpless, hopeless kind of feelings that there is and the loneliest feeling there is,” Quashen said. “What we want people to know is that there’s really nothing worth dying for, that everything can be dealt with.”

Anyone seeking information about mental health resources available in the Santa Clarita Valley can click here for a list of resources. There are 24-hour phone numbers available. In the event of an emergency, 9-1-1 should always be the first call. Those looking to speak with someone can call:

• 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
• 1-800-854-7771 for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health
• 1-800-784-2433 for the Treatment Advocacy Center
• 661-259-9439 for the SCV Child & Family Center
• 661-257-9688 for the Santa Clarita Valley Youth Project