Suicide Prevention
Are you struggling or need help
If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call or text 988 to get help through the Colorado Mental Health Line.
Goal of our campaign
Death by suicide is preventable and takes support from all levels of our community. This is particularly important to the Mesa County community. The suicide death rate in Mesa County remains higher than both Colorado and the United States. Also, the rate of suicide deaths has increased over the last two years.
A group of Mesa County partners, including Mesa County Public Health, has launched a coordinated campaign to address this challenge. The goals of the campaign are to:
- Educate the community about evidence-based, simple ways to support a friend, family member, or co-worker who is experiencing emotional pain.
- Reduce stigma in Mesa County when speaking about suicide.
Current trends in Mesa County
Key findings from the 2024 Mesa County Suicide Report indicate:
- Suicide deaths continue to be highest among working-age adults, a long-standing trend.
- In Mesa County, as in Colorado and the US, men account for the majority of suicide deaths. In 2024, the suicide fatality rate among men was over 3 times higher than among women.
- From 2022 to 2024, over half of all suicide deaths in the county involved a firearm. The lethality of firearms makes intervention more difficult, particularly compared to other methods such as overdose or poisoning.
View the full report:
Suicide in Mesa County, 2024.pdf
Suicide in Mesa County, 2024 SPANISH.pdf
Suicide prevention in action: #Bethe1to Campaign
#Bethe1to teaches five specific actions to be used when communicating with someone who may be suicidal. These actions are supported by research about suicide prevention.
- Ask If you think someone might be considering suicide, take the first step and be the one to ask. Ask directly, “Are you thinking about killing yourself?
- Be There If someone you know is thinking about suicide, take the next step and be the one to be there. Listen to their reasons for feeling hopeless and in pain. Listen without judgment and with compassion and empathy
- Keep them safe. If you ask someone if they are thinking about suicide and they say yes, be the one to keep them safe. Separate them from anything they are thinking of using to hurt themselves.
- Help them connect. If someone you know is thinking about suicide, be the one to help them connect to resources. Help them build a support system, including the 9-8-8 Lifeline, family, friends, clergy, coaches, and therapists.
- Follow up. If someone you know tells you they’ve been thinking about suicide, don’t forget to take the last step and be the one to follow up with them. It can make all the difference.
Learn more about how to save a life at bethe1to.com or in Español.
Follow Mesa County Public Health on Instagram @mesacountypublichealth to learn more.
More tips on suicide prevention
Are you concerned that someone you know may be at risk for suicide?
Your first step in helping may be as simple as learning the FACTS and warning signs.
The following signs may mean that a youth is at risk for suicide, particularly if that person attempted suicide in the past.
Feelings: Expressing hopelessness about the future.
Actions: Displaying severe/overwhelming pain or distress.
Changes: Showing worrisome behavioral cues or marked changes in behavior, including withdrawal from friends or changes in social activities; anger or hostility; or changes in sleep.
Threats: Talking about, writing about, or making plans for suicide.
Situations: Experiencing stressful situations including those that involve loss, change, create personal humiliation, or involve getting into trouble at home, in school, or with the law. These kinds of situations can serve as triggers for suicide.
If you notice any of these warning signs, you can help!
- Express your concern about what you are observing in their behavior.
- Ask directly about suicide.
- Encourage them to call or text 988 to get help through the Colorado Mental Health Line.
- Remember, if you have an IMMEDIATE concern about someone’s safety, call 911 immediately!
Learn more by visiting the Society for the prevention of teen suicide (spots) website.
Contact the Colorado Mental Health Line
- Call or text 988 or live chat at 988Colorado.com
- Confidential
- Free 24 hours/7 days a week
Suicide Prevention
Community Services Building (Public Health)
510 29 1/2 RoadGrand Junction, CO 81504