It’s a frightening word surrounded by stigma and misunderstanding.
When someone commits suicide, people ask why.
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The figures for Montrose County and Colorado are sobering. Montrose County’s suicide death rate of 19.8 per 100,000 is almost double the national average of 11.01, and higher than Colorado’s rate of 17.04 per 100,000 according to the Colorado Office of Suicide Prevention (OSP). Colorado ranks 6th in suicide deaths in the nation, says the OSP.
Suicide on the Western Slope is a public health crisis affecting people of all ages, according to the Montrose-based Center for Mental Health’s Midwestern Suicide Prevention Project. The center hosted the state’s OSP Town Hall Meeting on suicide prevention last week at the Montrose Regional Library.
The forum was an important step forward in recognizing that more needs to be done to prevent this tragedy, understand its underlying causes and reduce stigma surrounding mental health issues and suicide.
Prevention begins with education, awareness and training, the speakers said. More than 90 percent of those who commit suicide suffer from depression. Other risk factors include a family history of suicide, loss (including health, job or divorce) alcohol abuse, family problems including neglect and sexual abuse, and closeness to someone who has killed themselves.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Colorado young people between the ages of 10 and 34. Other high-risk groups are men and older adults, according to Maggie Magee, project coordinator for the Midwestern Suicide Prevention Project.
Suicide rates in the West may be high, particularly in rural counties, because of factors including social isolation, limited access to health and mental health care in some areas, and the tendency to “cowboy up” and deal with one’s problems alone rather than seeking outside help, speakers said.
The Colorado Office of Suicide Prevention, created by the state General Assembly in 2000 as part of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, is a resource for communities around the state including Montrose. The Center for Mental Health is working with OSP on a community-based approach to suicide intervention, education and prevention, including developing training and increasing public awareness.
Suicide touches everyone in some way. Becoming informed can help save lives. For training information call the Midwestern Office of Suicide Prevention at 970-252-3228. For crisis help in the Montrose area call the Center for Mental Health at 249-9694 or 970-252-6220 (24-hour number), or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
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