The Suicide Prevention Coalition of Garfield County began working with the coroner's office in 2015, and they've watched the number of self-inflicted deaths in the county rise and fall over the years. But one thing remains consistent. That number is always too high. Here is the chair of the Garfield County Suicide Prevention Coalition, Mason Hohstadt.
"Our highest year of suicide deaths was in 2019 and that was 24. And so we routinely see that number being, well over. On average it's, it's about 15 deaths per year."
During the pandemic from 2020 to 2021, that number fell from 24 to 14. Hohstadt says that this was in response to greater community support following lockdown.
"There were so many times, you know, where people were like, have you called your friends or have you checked in with your family member?"
After the pandemic, that number began to rise again. The Garfield County coroner reported 22 suicide deaths in 2023 and 15 the following year. Hohstadt says that part of prevention is changing the way we think about suicide in the first place.
"Somebody who is on the road to suicidality has probably tried lots of other things to try and make sure that they, you know, to deal with that, that deep depression or pain or stress, and have found that they can't really find that relief. We have to get better at recognizing that. We are humans and we need a community and we need people to check in on us.
And we need places to go and to vent and be human and know that everybody has a struggle. And then, you know, this idea of suicide is an outcome just really kind of makes it easier to try and say, okay, well now we have some interventions that we can put into place. We know if somebody is on the road to suicide, that there, there are places where we can insert ourselves or we can bring in some prevention or awareness and get people to the help that they need."
The coalition also partners with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to provide Talk Saves Lives training and an educational program on risk factors, warning signs, and prevention strategies. The coalition's sixth Annual Out of the Darkness Community Walk, coming up on the 24th [of Septmber] in Glenwood Springs, will help to raise funds for the AFSPC's Colorado chapter, and Hohstadt hopes it will open a broader conversation free of shame and stigma.
"It is a day of remembrance for those that we have lost to suicide. It is also a day to honor those who, um, are attempt survivors, suicide attempt survivors and also a place of support and, um, a place for people to find community. A lot of times people who are dealing with a suicide loss in their life can feel a double-edged sword because they feel like they're the only one. Same with somebody who might be a suicide attempt survivor, feeling like there's nobody out there who will understand the pain and the struggle that they're going through. There is still a lot of stigma around getting help for our mental and uh, behavioral health issues. And when we see people and we can feel that energy of being together as humans, and understand that we are not alone, it's really beneficial.
If you believe that someone in your life is struggling, then Hohstadt says, don't rely on others to start that conversation,
"Being that person and saying, 'okay I'm worried about you, let's talk about this.' It's a very hard conversation. It's very awkward. But it's always good to do that. And then we would always say, unless there is a threat of real physical harm within that moment to start with 988. And 989 is the national lifeline, and that will get you to the Colorado Crisis Services."
If you are struggling with suicidal ideation, the 988 line will connect you with a crisis clinician, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, free of charge. Bilingual services are also available. More help can be found aspenhopecenter.org.
LGBTQ+ Crisis Line: The Trevor Project , text 'START' to 678-678
Veterans Crisis Line: Veterans Crisis Line, dial 988 and press 1 or text 838255
Para Español: Bilingual 988, text 'AYUDA' to 988 or press #2 when calling 988