An unusually large number of people have killed themselves this year in several metro counties, and officials say they think the economy might be to blame.

Arapahoe County recently averaged one suicide a day over a two-week period, said Coroner Michael Dobersen.

Suicides in Arapahoe County are up from 34 through this time last year to as many as 42 so far this year. In at least a third to a half of those, the economy played a factor, Dobersen said.

“We’ve had so many over the past few weeks, it has gotten our attention,” Dobersen said. “The economy seems to be a common thread in some of them.”

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