When Tiffany Mennillo's 16-year-old daughter, Trinity Rogers, took her own life in Bridgeport four years ago, she says she became resolved to help others - and when she heard about a recent spike in suicides in Bridgeport, her resolved doubled.

"To hear about people taking their lives, especially young people, it's heartbreaking - and we urge folks to get help," Mennillio said.

Edith Boyle -- who heads of the Bridgeport nonprofit LifeBridge - says her organization is engaged in a stepped-up prevention effort following a number of recent suicides in the city.

"Coming to speak to a counselor is just like going to see your primary care provider. It's an appointment. The difference is, instead of checking your physical health, you're having a conversation about the distress that you're feeling - and we're trained to be able to provide support in a way that helps people get better," Boyle said.

"We now have counselors at all three high schools in Bridgeport, on a permanent basis, to make getting help easy - and it can save lives," Boyle said.