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 15 year old girl attempted suicide when she was 8, though her parents did not know this until recently. She has been depressed lately, and she says that last night she thoughts of killing herself. The family has health insurance, but with high co pays, and the girl's sister has had many medical expenses that the family has not been able to pay yet. Both parents work at entry level service jobs, so co-pays/deductibles would represent a significant challenge. No Medicaid.
Anomymous 15 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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