BUFFALO, N.Y. — This week marks National Suicide Prevention Week across the country.
Unfortunately, there is a cluster of suicides in the 14220 and 14210 zip codes in South Buffalo, according to NYS Assemblyman Pat Burker.
A research team has been assigned to conduct a study and will look at survey results and analyze mental health trends to develop specific ways to support those at risk.
2 On Your Side spoke with one woman about her personal hardships and struggles after losing a brother.
"I also had a suicide attempt and It's something that is unexplainable. It's not selfish. It's just you're in so much pain you can't even explain it and then a lot of people say like, why didn't they call? Why? Why did this happen? You're paralyzed," Allison Schroeder Gillette said.
"Suicides, in this specific community, has become a major issue and you have too many people interconnected who have died. And so, I think the government has a responsibility to react to it, to do something about it. You know, just hosting an event isn't enough, or just handing out pamphlets isn't enough. Doing a walk about it isn't enough. Addressing it with real public health professionals is what we need to do," Pat Burke, NYS Assemblyman said.
Crisis Services and the University at Buffalo's Department of Community Health and Health Behavior will oversee the study and researchers will develop a process of what the study will entail.