ANDERSON, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - The Anderson County coroner is encouraging the community to talk about mental health and seek support options after seeing a rise in suicides in January.

Coroner Greg Shore said his office has responded to six suicides in the first weeks of 2025. So far this is double the highest number of suicides reported in the county's history for January.

Shore said he wants to remind anyone contemplating suicide that help and resources are available. These include the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, the South Carolina Department of Mental Health, and the Anderson Mental Health Center.

Shore also urges people to reach out to friends and family to let them know you are there to be a listening ear if they need to talk. He also said mental health needs to be discussed more so people feel more comfortable seeking help.

"Many times, family members of someone who commits suicide did not notice any signs leading up to the event," the coroner's office said in a press release. "That is why it is important to check in on your friends and family who seem to be happy and healthy because they could be suffering in silence."

Over the last ten years, the Anderson County Coroner's Office has responded to 433 suicide deaths. The individuals ranged in age from 11 to 91 years old. Nearly 80 percent of the individuals were male.

Warning signs of suicide include talking about wanting to die, looking for a way to kill oneself, talking about feeling hopeless, talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain, talking about being a burden to others, increased use of alcohol or drugs, anxious or agitated behavior, sleeping too little or too much, feeling isolated, showing rage or talk about seeking revenge, and displaying extreme mood swings.

What to do if someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide: