People who gathered in Durango on Saturday as part of the annual International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day talked about their grief of losing people they know, but most on their mind was: Why is suicide so prevalent in our community?
Eighteen people have died by suicide in La Plata County in 2017, according to La Plata County Coroner Jann Smith. Across the nation, suicide rates are at a 30-year high.
Durango counselor Kati Bachman said people ages 45 to 62 are the leading group to complete suicide, but there is no answer to why the numbers are as high as they are.
“As a society, we are taught that we control other people’s paths and journeys, and we absolutely do not,” she said. “No matter how many people love you, you are on your own path.”
Bachman said some research suggests mountain towns have an elevated rate of suicide because of high altitude and isolation.
“There is the belief that it effects the dopamine levels,” she said. “I don’t know if that data is significant, but it is being researched.”
More than 30 people attended the event, where they watched “The Journey: A Story of Healing and Hope,” a documentary about suicide loss experience, and a short feature film, “The Journey Revisited.”
In between films, participants shared their stories about coping with a loved one’s death.
Bachman said there is no right or wrong way to grieve.
“You are allowed to experience whatever emotions come to you today,” she said. “We are not supposed to be alone in grief and healing.”
Amie Bryant, a counselor who helped organize the event, said attendance numbers at Survivors of Suicide Loss Day events have gradually increased over the years.
“Anecdotally, it seems like attendance has increased slightly, but not drastically,” Bryant said. “The first year, the event was not well-attended, but it went up slightly over the years.”
Bachman said attendance may be affected by the stigma about suicide and mental illness.
“It is just now we are starting to have the courage to talk about suicide,” Bachman said. “Speaking out and sharing is what makes today so special and important.
“Our relationships with the people who died aren’t finished, it’s just different now.”
mrupani@durangoherald.com
Suicide resources
Help for people having suicidal thoughts or for those who fear a person is considering killing himself can be found from these sources:
Axis Health System: 24-hour hotline at 247-5245.
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: (800) 273-TALK (8255) or text “TALK” to 741741.
RED Nacional de PrevencióN Del Suicidio: (888) 628-9454.
National Crisis text Hotline: 741741
Fort Lewis College Counseling Center: 247-7212.
Boys Town Hotline: (800) 448-3000.
Safe2Tell Colorado: (877) 542-7233 or online at
.
Colorado Crisis Support Line: (844) 493-8255 or text “TALK” to 38255 or online at
http://www.coloradocrisisservices.org/
to access a live chat available in 17 languages. The line has mental-health professionals available to talk to adults or youths about any crisis, 24 hours a day.
Trevor Project: (866) 488-7386. Crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth via online chat, text or phone.
Southern Ute Community ACtion Program: Visit
and click on Suicide Prevention for a list of trained gatekeepers.
Second Wind Fund: (720) 962-0706. This is not a crisis hotline, but the fund is available to youths who face social or financial barriers to crisis counseling. The organization requires a referral by a school counselor or mental-health professional.
Survivors Support GrouP: Heartbeat of Durango meets from 6 to 8 p.m. the second Wednesday of every month at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave. Contact Janna for information at (970) 749-1673.
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Colorado chapter information available at
https://afsp.org/chapter/afsp-colorado/
For Men: A website for adult men contemplating suicide, who often are unwilling to seek help, is available at
.
