TAMPA, Fla. — From social isolation and job stress, to a wild year of news and politics, it is no surprise people are feeling more stressed out in 2020.

And that is driving another problem, a dramatic increase in Tampa Bay's suicide rate.

"The behavioral tsunami that has been predicted is really starting to impact our Tampa Bay community," said Clara Reynolds with the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay.

The Crisis Center reports a 17 percent increase in the number of suicides from June through August compared to last year, and there are strong indications the numbers will be higher in the remaining few months of the year.

Less face to face interaction, deep financial issues, fears of Coronavirus, social justice, fires out West, a busy hurricane season and stress about kids going back to school has caused a compounding effect on personal health, relationships and families.  

Reynolds says suicide has a stigma and that barrier needs to be broken down through communication.

"The more we continue to talk about it, the more we are going to see folks, individuals reach out for help.  And again, not just adults, but kids as well, our elderly population and all of our specialty populations, our first responders, our veterans, everybody has been impacted by COVID, what is happening in our world."

The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay has a 24/7 hotline for anyone thinking about suicide.

You can reach a live counselor day or night by dialing 211.