Hutchinson ? The number of suicides in Kansas rose 16.5 percent in 2002 from the previous year, making it the second leading cause of death in the state behind traffic accidents, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment reported.

“We are definitely concerned about any increase in suicide deaths,” KDHE spokeswoman Sharon Watson said. “Right now our staff is reviewing the data and attempting to determine if there are any trends we can attribute this to.”

Watson said the number of suicides had fluctuated in the past five years.

Last year, 346 people committed suicide, compared with 297 in 2001 and 331 in 2000. In 1999, 298 people killed themselves; 328 committed suicide in 1998.

Specific causes for the increase in suicides aren’t clear. But mental health specialists said external factors such as the economic downturn and the war in Iraq might have created additional stress.

“It is rarely a single issue,” said Janet Carrier, a licensed clinical social worker. “There is a certain point where someone becomes overwhelmed.”

By occupation, the largest percentage increase in 2002 was among farmers, which jumped 66 percent to 20 deaths from 12 suicides in 2001.

The suicide rate has traditionally been higher for men. Of the 346 reported suicides in 2002, 286 were men; 60 were women. In 2001, 241 were men, and 56 were women. Figures for 2000 show that 274 men and 57 women committed suicide.

While suicide is gaining attention locally and nationally, some still do not seek help because of the stigma associated with mental health centers, said Ric Dalke, executive director of the Garden City Area Mental Health Center.

“If someone is thinking about it, we encourage them to call anybody they trust — a priest, minister, relative, friend or the mental health center,” Dalke said.