The National Center for Suicide Statistics states that one suicide occurs every 17 minutes in the United States.

DeKalb County Coroner Dennis Miller said DeKalb County has contributed to the nearly 30,000 suicides that occur each year.

“There were 11 in 1999, four in 2000 and five in 2001,” Miller said. “They were all walks of life and of different gender or racial status.”

While that number may seem staggering, the saddening statistic is the one never documented.

Mary Decker, supervisor of the emergency and admissions program at the Ben Gordon Center, 12 Health Services Drive, said there haven’t been any suicides she’s recently familiar with, but that it doesn’t mean the potential for one isn’t out there.

“There are numerous people who make attempts, and they don’t get finished out,” Decker said.

The last reported suicide was in February when an NIU student was found dead in his house at 920 Greenbrier Road.

“I’ve seen attempts that oftentimes were more cues for help than anything,” University Police Lt. Matthew Kiederlen said.

Kiederlen said should a situation involving a suicide be called to the police department’s attention, he and any other officer would be taught to treat the situation as calmly as possible.

“A police officer’s job is to maintain the situation and keep things quiet,” Kiederlen said. “And to make sure the person doesn’t do anything to harm them or others.”

Because police officers aren’t psychologists, Kiederlen said standard procedure would have them immediately send the person for professional, clinical help if unharmed.

Decker said once the center sees a patient, they assess his or her situation and utilize the best services available for that particular situation. The entire process absolutely remains private, Decker emphasized, and oftentimes is a misconception for those seeking help.

“We do everything by confidentiality,” Decker said. “We don’t compromise that in any way.”

Decker said that depression doesn’t come from just young to middle-aged people, but rather is seen in people from all ages.

“I’ve seen little kids to elderly folks ranging from 3 years old to 90,” Decker said. “Everybody has different faces with a variety of problems. It’s across the board.”