Original Article: Daily Sentinel
Updated
If you or someone you know is struggling, call the Colorado Crisis Line at 988. Mesa County residents can connect with local, individualized and affordable mental healthcare by calling Colorado LIFTS at 855-830-1562.
Each year, Mesa County Public Health releases its annual suicide report, highlighting suicide-related statistics and community interventions specific to the county.
The biggest takeaway is that Mesa County’s suicide rate has remained stable, at about 31 per 100,000 residents.
For comparison, the statewide rate is about 21 per 100,000, and the nation’s rate is roughly 13.9 per 100,000.
Although Mesa County’s rate remains higher than that of the state and nation, public health officials said the recent stabilization and continued growth of preventive measures provide hope for the long run.
“Altogether, the suicide death, attempt and ideation data work to show that suicide is a critical, significant issue in our community, but it’s also a preventable issue,” Mesa County Public Health Data Analyst Shalie Dahar said.
NOTABLE NUMBERS & TRENDS
According to the report, an average of 50 residents have died each year over the past decade, making suicide the county’s seventh-leading cause of death overall. Among residents below the age of 65, suicide is the fourth leading cause.
Youth and young adults (10 to 24 years old) had the lowest rate of suicide deaths among all age groups in the county, yet it remains the demographic’s second leading cause of death.
Suicide deaths were most common among 24- to 44-year-olds and 45- to 64-year-olds, at a rate more than four times those ages 10-24.
The suicide fatality rate among youth and young adults (12 per 100,000) has declined in recent years from the prior decade’s average rate of 19.6 per 100,000.
“We can’t say that it is a significant change in the trend because we work with such small numbers, but over the last few years, we have had fewer youth and young adult suicide deaths,” Dahar said. “That is something to celebrate, and that is a cause for hope.”
“It’s something that we’ll be watching (for statistical significance in the future),” she added.
Of all local suicide deaths (between 2022 and 2024), more than half involved a firearm.
According to Dahar, one potential cause of firearms’ frequent involvement is the ease of access in Mesa County: more than half of the county’s adults own a firearm, compared to 37% statewide.
Aside from suicide fatalities, a 2023 survey of Mesa County adults found that nearly one in 10 reported struggling with suicidal ideation, which Dahar said accentuates the need and ability to intervene or prevent an act of suicide.
“For each suicide death, there are another 22 people who make an attempt and survive, and another 238 who are experiencing suicidal thoughts without having made an attempt,” Dahar added.
PREVENTION A PRIORITY
According to Mesa County Behavioral Health Division Director Jennifer Daniels, community involvement and collaboration will be critical to ensure a substantial, consistent reduction in local suicides.
The Mesa County Suicide Prevention Coalition facilitates free trainings online and in-person, ranging in length and scope — from one-hour sessions to an “in-depth, two-day in-person training.”
According to the report, 14,000 residents have participated in suicide prevention trainings since they started in 2016.
“The overall rate has continued to stabilize … and that means our community’s doing something to make it go in the right direction,” Daniels said.
Learn more and sign up for upcoming trainings by visiting suicidepreventionmc.org/resources/#classes-events.
According to the report, Mesa County also has many tangible prevention programs. Grand Valley Connects, an intensive resource navigation program through public health, assists community members “with complex needs.”
The program assisted 900 locals throughout 2024, with counseling identified as the most common need.
The VA and Colorado Gun Shop Project work with firearm owners and vendors to distribute information about suicide risk and gun locks that enable safe storage. Last year, the VA distributed over 1,000 cable gun locks, which prevent immediate access for individuals under duress.
Mesa County Valley School District 51 recently implemented peer networks known as “Sources of Strength” across its high schools and middle schools. According to the report, recent research on the Sources of Strength initiative found that it resulted in a 29% reduction in new suicide attempts.
Regardless of the many institutional efforts, Dahar and Daniels said that community involvement will continue to play a critical role in the efficacy of county efforts to reduce its suicide rate.
“Suicide prevention is not just for professionals,” Dahar said. “Everyone can play a role, whether that’s through participation in one of our free community training, or helping connect their friends, family and neighbors to the resources that they need.”
