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Suicides of 4 young men in a week raise alarm on Kauai

Kauai County Councilman Mason Chock
Source: Honolulu Civil Beat

Kauai, HAWAII — A cluster of four suicides in seven days on Kauai has raised the alarm on the Garden Isle among mental health professionals and community advocates.

The four deaths were all young men in their 20s or 30s with no known connection between them.

The ongoing COVID-19 crisis has sparked worries that the mental health toll might be too much for some people to bear, especially people with a history of psychiatric symptoms or drug or alcohol addiction.

The spate of deaths cannot necessarily be attributed to the coronavirus, but Kauai Police Chief Todd Raybuck said the stress and fear roused by the virus and its economic impacts may have played a role.

The pandemic has made suicide prevention efforts more challenging, with social distancing restricting face-to-face appointments with psychiatrists and support groups. But the mental health community is working hard to adapt.

Read more at Honolulu Civil Beat