The holiday cheer or perceived holiday cheer that is thick in the December air is neither holiday’ish or cheerful for a lot of families. They, along with loved ones, have already received word that a loved one has died and worse, died by their own hand.
The juxtaposition of end of year television commercials telling us ‘It’s the most wonderful time of the year’ and news that a father or mother, brother or sister, husband or wife has taken their own life seems to cut what is often called the ‘deepest wound.’
While 2022 suicide numbers have shown a decrease from the previous year in Pueblo County, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s adjusted suicide rate—28.8 per 100,000—is more than double the national rate, said the Centers for Disease Control.
Despite the fact that death by suicide occurs more often in spring and summer months, Heather, a suicide hotline counsellor in Pueblo who asked her last name not be used because of her job, a holiday suicide seems to hold deeper, more searing emotion. It just seems, she said, that at the end of the year, “people are more reflective,” and as a result grief seems more palpable.
No age group is immune from suicide, said Heather, but “middle aged White men are most at risk,” she said. But women “have more attempts.” Still, she and others answering phones at the Pueblo center take calls every day from younger people, “especially those under 18.” Younger people, she said, may simply think “they have nowhere to go or think they’re just weird” because of the thoughts they’re having.
To address the teen suicide issue, the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Pueblo County has scheduled a pair of suicide prevention workshops early in the new year at two of the city’s high schools. The first is on Feb. 7th at Centennial High School from 6 to 7 p.m. The other is on March 6th at East High School from 5 to 6 p.m.
In Colorado, 1,287 suicides deaths were reported in Colorado. Of that number 73 were between ten and nineteen. El Paso County recorded the largest number of suicide deaths with 189. In the metro area, Broomfield had 155, Denver 123 and Adams County had 111. The age group with the most suicide deaths was in the 25-34 group, followed by 237 deaths in age group 35-44. Suicide by gender showed up at 997 males and 290 female. Of the state’s 1,287 suicide deaths in 2022, 220 were Hispanic.
Calls to suicide help lines also include individuals with disabilities and the elderly, said Heather. These deaths are often the result of drug overdoses, she said, because “they have access to medications or (other) lethal means…that’s what makes them more at risk.”
The job of engaging people who call suicide help lines can be challenging, said Heather. It takes a different type of personality. “I don’t think anyone comes into this work by accident,” she said. “It’s very emotional…we want to help them and listen and provide space for them.” While it’s not ever easy, she said, “It is very fulfilling work. But doing it makes you a light to other people.” But being a light can take a toll. The average for a person remaining in this line of work, Heather volunteered, “is one to five years.”
In fielding each call, workers collect demographic data before moving into conversations that most people will never have. “We ask them what’s going on (that made them make the call).” Workers also stress to callers that there are options, support for them and advice and “a plan on how to cope with these thoughts.”
For anyone weighing suicide as an option, there is a 24-hour Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. By dialing 988, you will automatically be connected with a mental health professional who will talk to you and provide information that may save a life. Veterans can press “1” after dialing 988 to connect with the Veterans Crisis Lifeline. The line can also be accessed via text with the code: 838255.
The 988 number is also open to Spanish speaking callers. After dialing the 988 number, callers are urged to press “2” to reach a Spanish speaking counselor. There is also a line dedicated to taking LGBQT callers. For those callers, press “3” to be connected to a counsellor. Those concerned about a LGBQT loved one are also encouraged to call.
Not every call, Heather said, will end in ultimate success and save a life. But every call, she said, will find someone who cares and is willing to talk. “They say that it’s easy to call into the darkness from the light. But sometimes it requires you to go into the dark with them. That’s just part of it.”
