Why is Colorado Springs drug and suicide mortality rate so much higher then Denver?

[TCHP]

sigh... another link to a government report full of gross numbers without any reference to relevance, cause, or reason or anything of any significant other than the numbers. If these types of reports are how our government officials decide to run programs, no wonder they are slightly off mark, at best, or totally clueless, as seems to be the case in the vast majority of cases.

We actually talked about the teenage aspect of this back in May of this year. //www.city-data.com/forum/color...o-springs.html

An interesting point in that conversation that I was never aware of previously, was the relationship of suicide and altitude. I also recall reading some articles not long ago about higher rates in more rural areas than in more urban zones, another possible aspect of the wide spread semi- rural developments of northern and eastern El Paso County and Douglas County.

Yes, I'd also consider that one of the by products of the high military presence here is domestic violence and suicide. Although the linked report does not delve much into the civilian vs military differences and the location of such a tragic event within the county (civilian authority) vs a base (military authority) could also create a variable we can't see in these numbers.

[otowi]

Yes, I also found the high altitude association interesting. I think I also remember learning that El Paso County also does a much better job at reporting than many other counties and that also contributes to some of the higher percentages.....

[mbalmedpoet]

Another point that needs to be considered as well....due to the tax situation in Colorado (well documented) there simply isn't the funding for mental health needs. This is really unfortunate, most don't want to pay for what they see as extra programs. But recently the suicide hotline in Pueblo was closed due to lack of funding.

I really despise the mindset of "if I don't use it, I'm not paying for it." Or "let the people who use it pay for it."

In the end, it costs us. If not monetarily, then physically and emotionally.

[Stevedore]

The cult Focus on The Family. Get married at 18, pop out a lot of kids which they can't afford which leads to years of stress and they take the easy way out; very sad indeed.

[otowi]

Originally Posted by Stevedore

The cult Focus on The Family. Get married at 18, pop out a lot of kids which they can't afford which leads to years of stress and they take the easy way out; very sad indeed.

Um, Focus on the Family has barely been a thing in Colorado Springs for a decade.

[BarryK123]

Originally Posted by Stevedore

The cult Focus on The Family. Get married at 18, pop out a lot of kids which they can't afford which leads to years of stress and they take the easy way out; very sad indeed.

I was thinking along those lines, too. When people realize how they've been scammed and sucked dry by the megachurches...

[Kar54]

For some reason, Colorado has traditionally had a high rate of suicides. 20 years ago, we led the nation.

In fact, partially due to our suicide rate, life policies issued in this state require a 1-year waiting period instead of the standard 2-year waiting period to cover death by suicide. It's a sad statistic that defies explanation.

The military and transient (no close family) factors may have something to do with it.

[TCHP]

Originally Posted by BarryK123

I was thinking along those lines, too. When people realize how they've been scammed and sucked dry by the megachurches...

Wow, really?

Originally Posted by Kar54

For some reason, Colorado has traditionally had a high rate of suicides. 20 years ago, we led the nation.

In fact, partially due to our suicide rate, life policies issued in this state require a 1-year waiting period instead of the standard 2-year waiting period to cover death by suicide. It's a sad statistic that defies explanation.

The military and transient (no close family) factors may have something to do with it.

No doubt military and transient populations are a part of this, but why are they more susceptible? Combination of possible stressors from lack of a suport network and PTSD combined with altitude.

Positive Association between Altitude and Suicide in 2584 U.S. Counties

Thin Air Might Increase Depression in Mountain States

[Mike from back east]

Info in the Gazette in 2013 on this topic.

El Paso County suicides
2012 - 138
2011 - 112
2010 - 111
2009 - 131
2008 - 106
2007 - 98
2006 - 69
2005 - 106
2004 - 121
2003 - 85


Years ago I read something about unhappy easterners who keep heading west looking for happiness and often end up in SF, CAL or other west coast locations with nowhere left to run to, they can't go any further west, and some commit suicide there. Not sure if COLO is part of that dynamic...a lovely place, seems full of promise...

Personally I doubt if the religious influence here is much of it, but one can obsess on the gospel and get dangerously glum that there's so much 'sin' in the world. I'd put my money on alcohol and drug addictions, PTSD, joblessness, poverty, loneliness, debilitating diseases, and hopelessness.

There's a string of articles in the Washington Post about the INcreasing death rates of white middle-aged women in Appalachia and other rural areas, with alcohol and drugs taking a huge toll. Here's a link to the most recent story in the 5-part series called: UNNATURAL CAUSES SICK AND DYING IN SMALL-TOWN AMERICA

[JrzDefector]

Originally Posted by Mike from back east

Info in the Gazette in 2013 on this topic.

El Paso County suicides
2012 - 138
2011 - 112
2010 - 111
2009 - 131
2008 - 106
2007 - 98
2006 - 69
2005 - 106
2004 - 121
2003 - 85


Years ago I read something about unhappy easterners who keep heading west looking for happiness and often end up in SF, CAL or other west coast locations with nowhere left to run to, they can't go any further west, and some commit suicide there. Not sure if COLO is part of that dynamic...a lovely place, seems full of promise...

Personally I doubt if the religious influence here is much of it, but one can obsess on the gospel and get dangerously glum that there's so much 'sin' in the world. I'd put my money on alcohol and drug addictions, PTSD, joblessness, poverty, loneliness, debilitating diseases, and hopelessness.

There's a string of articles in the Washington Post about the INcreasing death rates of white middle-aged women in Appalachia and other rural areas, with alcohol and drugs taking a huge toll. Here's a link to the most recent story in the 5-part series called: UNNATURAL CAUSES SICK AND DYING IN SMALL-TOWN AMERICA

My depression issues have largely disappeared since I got here. I mean, I have the occasional bout of depression/anxiety but nothing like back in Jersey. That said, when I moved out here, I had already established a sort of baseline level of happiness.

I do have to wonder if maybe there may be a greater sense of hopelessness out here due to fewer options, with that feeling increasing the further you get away from Denver. In Jersey, your life is filled with possibility in some ways, especially if you're in the central part of the state. The diversity of jobs, cultures and opportunities is pretty vast. And the odds are you don't have to leave your hometown to do it. Even if I DID have to leave my hometown, I wouldn't have had to move more than a few hours away. DC, Boston, Philly, NYC are all RIGHTTHERE. There were times when I was young when I felt like I had no options, but really, what I had was a wealth of them. Even if you're poor, there are tons of opportunities that you are exposed to.

With Denver being the most isolated big city in the lower 48, I think it may make some people feel trapped, and the more rural you get, the more trapped you feel.