September was National Suicide Awareness Month
September is National Suicide Awareness Month when we remember the lives lost to suicide, offer support for the families, communities, and individuals impacted by suicide, and walk alongside those who have, and continue to, struggle with suicidal ideation (the thought around completing suicide). Our focus is on providing them with support, connection, and resources. At Colorado Dream Foundation (CDF), we believe that the first step to supporting people lies in educating them about the signs of suicidal ideation so they can take action. In this piece, we will provide statistics about our current mental health crisis, signs to be aware of, and steps you can - and should - take if you believe someone you know is considering suicide.
Colorado’s Mental Health Crisis
According to the 2023 KIDS COUNT!, an annual report published by Colorado Children's Campaign, Colorado youth have increasingly reported struggling with mental health, noting a persistent sadness or hopelessness that impacts or interferes with their daily activities. Between 2010 and 2021, the number of Colorado youth who died by suicide nearly doubled, while access to care in many Colorado communities is minimal and extremely hard to come by.
These staggering numbers caused Children's Hospital Colorado to declare a state of emergency in youth mental health. It is noted that between 2016 and 2021, the number of mental health-related visits to Emergency Rooms by children across Colorado increased by 140%. In contrast, visits for adults, for the same reasons, increased by 23% during the same time period. Despite this, professionals are hopeful that for the first time in years, the number of teens (ages 15-19) who die by suicide will dramatically decrease in 2022.
Suicide Warning Signs
Some warning signs (especially if the behavior is new, increasing, or seems to be related to a painful change or recent loss) to help determine if someone you know is at risk for suicide include: (988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves
Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun
Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
Talking about being a burden to others
Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
Sleeping too little or too much
Withdrawing or isolating themselves
Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
Extreme mood swings
Please note that this list is not exhaustive. Take any sudden and drastic change in behavior as an opportunity to ask your friend or loved one how they are feeling and if they need support.
Preventative Things You Can Do
Each death by suicide leaves behind family, friends, classmates, and a community shattered and wondering what they missed and could have done. Colorado children and teens are facing many noted risk factors, including substance use, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES), bullying, social isolation, community violence, and easy access to lethal means of suicide. While there is no blanket solution to protecting our children and teens, several protective factors can buffer youth from mental health challenges and suicidality. These include:
Effective coping and stress management skills - 46% of Colorado high school students report that their stress level is manageable most days.
Getting adequate sleep - 74% of Colorado high school students report not getting an average of eight or more hours per night.
Support from family and friends
Parental monitoring
Feeling connected to school, community, and other social institutions - only 37% of high school youth reported that they enjoyed being at school most of the time.
What Can You Do
What can you do if someone you know and love is struggling with their mental health and having thoughts of suicide? Listen and care. Take people's statements and feelings seriously. Adults should try to connect with youth in their lives and recognize that youth's experiences and ideas are real and valid and allow them agency over decisions on how to support them. Know that hope can happen - simply starting the conversations, showing support, reducing access to means of self-harm, and directing to care, death by suicide can be prevented. Crisis centers are critical in providing immediate care and connecting your loved one to services in the area. If you or someone you know is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please call or text 988 on any phone to be immediately connected with the crisis line in your area or go to your nearest emergency room.
After School & Therapeutic Support at CDF
At Colorado Dream Foundation, we believe that our after-school enrichment program can aid in youth growing in their coping and other emotional wellness skills by having a supporting environment where they feel a sense of belonging, acceptance, and safety to navigate some of life's hardest challenges, as well as easy access to free and low-cost Mental Health therapy, supports the mission to reduce and hopefully eliminate the number of youth and adults who die by suicide. Across all programs, we emphasize using best practices for social and emotional learning and therapeutic interventions rooted in trauma-informed care.
If you or someone you know is seeking mental health therapy in the Denver Metro Area, please contact us!
