The Narrative

Throughout all of the devastating statistics that come out of firearm related topics, none are more devastating than the drastic amount of child related deaths in the U.S. year after year. In 2022 alone, there were 2,526 gun deaths, 1- to 17-year-olds, averaging to nearly 7 per day. John Hopkins University found that 30 percent of all deaths of individuals 15 to 17 were firearm related. Demographically, Hopkins found that since 2013, Black youth firearm suicide has tripled, and Hispanic/Latino rates have doubled.

Lets bring this to the home front and apply these statistical conditions to Mesa County specifically.

Here we have two statistical visuals drawn from the 2023 Mesa County Public Health Mesa County Suicide Report. Colorado at large, is higher than the national average with significantly high rates of suicide. Mesa County is significantly higher than any other region within Colorado, thereby making Mesa County have one of the highest suicide rates across the nation.

Lets Agree to Agree

In an effort to destigmatize and bring light to this ever increasing issue that viscerally effects areas such as the western region of Colorado, the Ad Council has composed a video to showcase one of the most devastating angles of this issue; child related firearm suicides and deaths.

With this newsletter being a platform to showcase this issue at large, I am honored to present one of the many videos the Ad Council has produced concerning firearm safety and suicide prevention.

In Our Backyard

I have intentionally paired advocacy and statistics on a national level concerning suicide with Mesa County specific figures to put forward the notion that we as individuals tied to the western region are on the forefront of this issue. Often, this means experiencing many of the hardships described on the local and national level as we are of the highest levels of suicide throughout the country.

This is not an abstract issue, but rather, one that directly touches our community. This makes region-centered initiatives and advocacy all the more vital, as it is not only demonstrating efforts toward lessening suicide throughout our community, county, and state, but also throughout this country and hopefully, throughout the globe. This is the weight of your voice, this is the impact you possess.

Local Initiatives and Involvements

Mental Health and Suicide Prevention 2025 EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES IN MESA COUNTY Register Here!

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST): September 18-19, November 6-7 This two-day workshop(16 hours) helps participants learn how to prevent suicide by recognizing signs, providing a skilled intervention, and developing a safety plan to keep someone alive.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA): September 26, October 17, December 5 This eight (8) hour training teaches people how to recognize signs of mental health or substance use challenges in adults, how to offer and provide initial help, and how to guide a person toward appropriate care.

Youth Mental Health First Aid (Youth MHFA): August 29 This Six and half (6.5) hour training for adults who regularly interact with people ages 12-18. It introduces common mental health challenges, typical adolescent development, and plan for how to help in crisis and non-crisis situations

Soul Shop™: October 2 This 90-minute workshop equips faith community leaders and other people of faith to train their congregations to minister to those impacted by suicidal desperation.

If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal, call or text 988. The National Suicide Hotline is staffed around the clock with certified members of the American Association of Suicidology. Or the Crisis Text Line, text CO to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from a secure online platform.