Youth Suicide in Colorado

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The Colorado Trust, in its “Suicide in Colorado” report, declared that “Suicide deaths and attempts are a major public health problem in the state of Colorado.”

Rates of suicide are highest in the western regions of the United States, with the Rocky Mountain States indicating the highest rates of suicide. Currently, Colorado ranks 6th in overall suicide rates in the nation. Year after year, Colorado’s suicide rate is 30-40% higher than other states. In fact, Colorado’s suicide rate has exceeded national averages at least since 1910, when suicide data were first collected.

In any given year, roughly 800 Coloradans can be expected to die by suicide. In addition, survey results, such as those from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, demonstrate that alarmingly large numbers of young people in Colorado (and throughout the country) report having made serious plans for suicide attempts.

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Youth We Are Helping

This 12 year old girl has been writing concerning journal entries and notes on her tests. She expresses depressive thoughts, but has no thoughts of hurting herself, a suicide plan, or the means to act on any thoughts that she has had. She also wrote a text message to her friend that she thinks that suicide would be quick & painless. Her parents are going though a divorce and her grandfather, who she was close to, died recently. She used to horseback ride, but her family no longer has the funds to pay for it. No insurance, no Medicaid.
Anonymous 12 Year Old
This narrative is based on an actual referral to SWFMD. Details have been changed to protect the identity of the youth.

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