COLORADO: First-of-Its-Kind Study of Colorado Suicides Reveals Traumatized Communities—for Reasons that Differ across the State
January 25, 2019
The Colorado attorney general’s office has released the results of a yearlong study on youth suicide. The study looked at four counties with the highest rates of youth suicide to help inform prevention efforts across the state. It found that a weak economy and limited access to health care were among the most important risk factors for suicide. Young people reported a number of stressors, including social media, school shootings, relationships, substance abuse, and academics. Outgoing Attorney General Cynthia Coffman said she hoped the study would “shed light on the very real impact of suicide loss and help to provide coordinated and comprehensive prevention efforts going forward.” To address increased suicide rates, El Paso County has established a prevention workgroup to help engage youth in social activities through school, faith-based, and community groups. The county is also training faith leaders in Mental Health First Aid and working to improve relationships between youth and adults.
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