Annual suicide report released, prevention remains priority

Mesa County Public Health prepares the annual suicide report in collaboration with the Mesa County Coroner and the Mesa County Suicide Prevention Coalition. The group collects and analyzes data to understand local suicide trends.

“Our biggest takeaway from this year’s report is the suicide death rate in Mesa County has stabilized in recent years, but remains higher than both the state of Colorado and the United States,” said Shae Lynn Watt, Data Team Lead at Mesa County Public Health.

The report findings are used to inform planning and implementation of prevention activities across Mesa County. Feeling connected to other people, schools, neighborhoods, workplaces, faith communities, and cultural groups protects people from suicide risk. 

“Suicide prevention is not limited to mental health experts. It is happening through a variety of ways in Mesa County, including offering affordable quality childcare, resource connection and navigation, grief groups administered by multiple organizations in the community, and medication take back days,” said Jennifer Daniels with the Mesa County Suicide Prevention Coalition.

View the annual report on our website. 

Key findings in report

• The highest rate of suicide-related hospital visits was among youth and young adults, while the highest rate of suicide death was among working-age adults.
• Firearms are responsible for half of suicide deaths in Mesa County. Men are nearly three times as likely as women to use a firearm in a suicide death.
• Between 2021 and 2023, serious mental health challenges and suicidality decreased among Mesa County high schoolers. However, suicide-related hospital visits for this age group increased.
• Drugs or alcohol were involved at the time of death in over 70% of suicide deaths and over 30% of suicide-related emergency department visits.

Suicide prevention in action

• Gun shops and pawn shops participate in Colorado's Gun Shop Project, providing information about suicide risk and distributing gun locks to encourage safe storage of firearms.
• Mesa County Opioid Response Group partners provide community training and substance abuse recovery support. There are also prescription drug take back days scheduled during the year where people can drop off unused medication to be disposed of properly.
• Grand Valley Connects is an enhanced resource navigation program at Mesa County Public Health that assists community members with complex needs.
• Mesa County Libraries host events related to mental health, grief, resilience and more, with partners such as HopeWest,  Hilltop, and others.
• There is also a wide variety of free training available. Community members are encouraged to choose a training that fits their needs so they can be more prepared the next time a family member, friend, or someone in their workplace needs support.

If you’re struggling, or know someone who needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK, text CO to 741741, or call 988.