Tragic Death at Waitsburg home

WAITSBURG—On March 26, the Walla Walla County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of an unresponsive male in the basement of a home on Main Street in Waitsburg.

Undersheriff Joe Klundt said that the situation appeared to be a suicidal incident, and no further information was available from the Sheriff's Office.

Suicide rates across the nation have risen with the COVID-19 pandemic. Information presented by the Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide (JHPG) indicates that suicide rates have increased with prior pandemics; an increase was reported after the 1918-19 Spanish Flu pandemic, and was observed again in Hong Kong, after the 2003 SARS outbreak.

According to JHPG, many factors, including social isolation, pandemic-related barriers to mental health treatment, and continuous media coverage contributing to anxiety may have played a part in the rise of suicide deaths.

If you are feeling alone or experiencing ideations, you are not alone. The Suicide Prevention Lifeline is availbe 24/7, by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255), and the Crisis Text Line is available by texting HEAL to 741741. If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 9-1-1.