Why is the Colorado suicide rate so high?

[McGowdog]

Originally Posted by mcgowdog

depression rate (dr)
suicide rate (sr)
crime rate (cr)
divorce rate (dvr)
cloudy days (cd)
unemployment rate (ur)

11. Swillwuakee
(dr) 19
(sr) 16
(cr) 17
(dvr) 30
(cd) 175
(ur) 7.9%

Denver is not even on the list, but Swill is in such fine company with places such as Detroit, Cleveland, New Orleans, Portland, Seattle, St. Louis, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Indianapolis, Sacramento Tucson, Minneapolis...

While cities like San Diego, Denver, Dallas, Salt Lake City, San Francisco etc. were NOT on the list.

McGowdog Online Dictionary - Keeping it Realer!

:B

[EastSideMKE]

Originally Posted by McGowdog

Denver is not even on the list, but Swill is in such fine company with places such as Detroit, Cleveland, New Orleans, Portland, Seattle, St. Louis, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Indianapolis, Sacramento Tucson, Minneapolis...

While cities like San Diego, Denver, Dallas, Salt Lake City, San Francisco etc. were NOT on the list.

:b

Ignoratio elenchi - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Your point being???

What do any of those cities have to do with the fact that the state of Colorado has the 6th highest suicide rate in the U.S.???

[treedonkey]

Originally Posted by jjacobeclark

What do any of those cities have to do with the fact that the state of Colorado has the 6th highest suicide rate in the U.S.???

I think jjaco wants us to know that CO has the 6th highest suicide rate in the country, according to City-Data stats. Okay, we got that, jjaco... Anything else?

[McGowdog]

Thank God it's not the 5th or the 4th or the 3rd or the 2nd or the 1st.

Did you know that suicide is a sin? I don't believe in suicide. Oh, and it's against the law.


Suicide Solution

[elemental]

Originally Posted by Katiana

I have read a number of articles about this in the past, and some mental health professionals think it is because so many people are here without family support. That would explain why so many western states are on the list.

I think you're onto something there with the family support idea. While family drives you crazy, they keep you in line as well.

[McGowdog]

Dating back to 1977, I personally know exactly 3 guys who've committed suicide; one was manic depressive, one was on meth and had failed his family (had only been on meth for a short time), and another who had lost a great job in Texas, lost his life savings in the stock market, and just seemed to lose hope... maybe got behind on bills and stuff (lost his family, aka she left him). The former two hanged themselves and the latter shot himself while driving down the hwy.

IMO, it's an internal condition, not external. So IMO, it's got nothing to do with Colorado. Granted, the numero uno spot is Las Vegas. That would appear to be somewhat external and the exception to the rule.

I've got a friend in recovery now who's expressed previous and occasional thoughts of suicide. While working with him and trying to steer him towards a spiritual solution, I suggested medical (see people like Katiana) help and perhaps the posibility that some medication or psychological solution would be wise. He didn't respond. Then, shooting from the hip, I said "Well, you are responsible. You are responsible for your spiritual fitness and your happiness." He said that statement has hit him hard, that he's running with it and getting results. He's otherwise a generous and outgoing guy who volunteers his time to helping and visiting with people who need help. He stays active socially in events that get him amongst other people and out in the community. He's a better guy than I am by far! He contributes more and does more than I do externally. Yet he's prone to depression and ultimately suicidal thoughts and I'm not.

The spiritual solution I follow is nothing new; to live in this world, you need to get honest, face and be rid of resentment and fear, and find ways to fend off selfish, self-centered, self-seeking, self-centric ways. They will kill some people.

I've been told that if you come across an acquaintance that talks about suicide, take it serious. Get them help if you can. If it continues and they refuse help, ask them if they've got a plan. If not, let it go. If so, tell them you're legally obligated to inform proper authorities about it. What more can you do?

[Katarina Witt]

You should absolutely take any talk of suicide seriously! Do not joke with the person. Try to convince him/her to get help, ASAP!

[katzenfreund]

I think this thread has run its course. Thanks to all those who participated!