Colorado Springs Named Second Highest In Suicide Rates

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Posted: 10:34 AM Mar 23, 2008
Last Updated: 10:57 PM Mar 24, 2008
Reporter: Mindy Stone
Email Address: mstone@kktv11news.com

20 comments

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A report by a national city and county association finds Colorado Springs has the second highest suicide rate in the nation -- second to Las Vegas.

The report by the National Association of County & City Health Officials examined suicide rates from 2004 in the largest 54 urban areas in the United States. It found that 26 out of every 100,000 people in Colorado Springs killed themselves. The rate in number one Las Vegas was nearly 35 per 100,000.

Tucson, Arizona, was third with a rate of 25 per 100,000.

Health officials aren't sure why the rate is so high. They say depression is a common factor. But, they don't have concrete evidence to support why. So instead, they focus on prevention.

"Alot of times people who are suicidal will hint at the fact that they won't be around for long," said Ali Negal, El Paso County Department of Health and Environment Injury and Prevention Program Specialist.

Negal says knowing to pick up on these signs and immediately getting someone help can prevent tragedy.

Colorado Springs has a suicide prevention hotline. The number is (719) 596-LIFE.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: somoe again... Location: CSC on Apr 8, 2008 at 03:02 PM
well im back I read some of the comments and if u can see theres still hatered in them when I think they were trying to be positive?? Well I just want to add that DHS is still in my life and Im still getting the same treatment even though Im doing what im suppose to be doing?? But well see im alot happier now and I hope that people see the word usage they use is so negative...ignorant democrats??? we all are working class and a few that are trying to be more than middle class but life is life and when life happens things get in the way of goals like my sistuation....but we all should learn from are mistakes instead of judging others...when u judge someone to define them it only defines u...because if it is you its someone in your same family or even your kids that have the same problem like eveyone else...unless your god then no one shold have a say so but be here for everyone else to at least look up and give a smile and thats enough said!!

Posted by: Bob Location: Monument on Mar 27, 2008 at 01:30 PM
I drink, have used drugs, and am frequently contemplating terminal options - but don't believe the city of Colorado Springs is to blame for any of it. The young people in this town are mostly ignorant democrats, but that's typical of any town. A little more maturity, and they'll come around.

Posted by: db Location: Colorado Springs on Mar 27, 2008 at 09:46 AM
I agree with Jason’s comment. When I am out hiking, most people are friendly. Other than that, this town is an unfriendly, un-neighborly place. Just look at the neighborhoods. Everyone hides behind their tall, ugly privacy fences, which makes it that much easier to avoid others. Maybe if the neighborhoods were not so isolationist in nature, people would be friendlier to one another and suicidal people might start feeling better since they may not feel so alone.

Posted by: Sue Location: westside on Mar 26, 2008 at 09:02 AM
This does not say much for our community maybe it is time for an old fashioned "educate the public" campaign? There is a huge disconnect between the military and civilians in C. Springs and would assume our active military are at greater risk. Maybe a task force is in order. A family member survived an attempted suicide and we continue to deal with anger and guilt around that...I wish I had been more aware of what was happening.

Posted by: Jason Location: C/S on Mar 26, 2008 at 05:09 AM
Maybe it wouldn't hurt people to exchange a "hello" or "how's it going" when walking down the street. People here would sooner look at the their feet or the other way than extend a friendly greeting. Oh and don't get me on the way people drive. Drop your ego, obey the laws and learn about common courtesy!

Posted by: Marsha Allen Location: Colorado Springs on Mar 26, 2008 at 02:48 AM
I'm not military, never used drugs, or drank. It's a hard town for anyone who doesn't have a secondary means of support like a spouse or family.

Posted by: Marsha Allen Location: Colorado Springs on Mar 26, 2008 at 02:44 AM
What all three towns mentioned (Vegas, Tuscon, & CS) have in common is close access to casinos. I don't see that as the cause of suicides, but it doesn't help people desperate for money either. I was seriously suicidal when I was 23 and happily met God at that time. That was 35 years ago. Now suicide is not a viable option to me, but it has often seemed to me to be desirable in a town with high living costs, low wages, and job descrimination, especially age, and what they regard to be health insurance risks. The more lay offs and higher the costs rise, the more you'll see suicides rise too. After a spinal fusion, nobody would hire me with the best references and after doing all of the Work Force programs and tests. I scored 23 in the City tests among 230 applicants. Not a nibble. You're especially screwed if you're not bilingual now. They upped the job requirements and lowered the wages! A few years ago a neighbor killed her child and then herself after losing her job.

Posted by: Katherine Location: COS on Mar 25, 2008 at 08:38 PM
maybe it's because kktv allows people to leave reader comments such as this: Posted by: Bill Location: colorado springs, CO on Mar 25, 2008 at 03:47 AM you clowns want to protest, do it in the northbound lanes of I-25 around 4 pm. you'll definitely get a response. morons. here is the link to the story on which this compassionate man has commented: http://www.kktv.com/home/headlines/16973191.html and this is certainly not the first time i have logged on to kktv only to be greeted by someone telling me to go kill myself it is sad enough that people like Bill even exist, but it is even worse when they are permitted to go around saying such hurtful things. in the past i have refrained from drawing kktv's attention to this website's actively malicious audience, but it is apparent now that suicide is a big issue for the springs... and i refuse to ignore it any longer

Posted by: soldiers wife Location: springs on Mar 25, 2008 at 06:58 PM
maybe because of how many times these guys that are stationed here get deployed and then come home for a little bit and go again, its hard being away from your family and loved ones everyother year for at least a year at a time. when they get home they dont receive the treatment they need or dont have a good success rate and then get into trouble and think that is the only way out. we need to help these men and women who risk their lives constantly for others without the support from the local communtiy.

Posted by: Ugh! Location: CS on Mar 25, 2008 at 04:28 PM
Someone, I competely agree with you.. People are AFRAID to get help, because than freakin DHS (For those who have children) jumps in your lives. P.O.S. DHS. There nothing but trouble to, that has nothing else better to do but interrupt in peoples lives that try to do the right thing. Im really sorry "Someone" to hear about you situation.

Posted by: Samantha Location: Colorado Springs on Mar 25, 2008 at 02:54 PM
Has anyone looked at what percentage of the suicides in the Springs are military/war vets??!!

Posted by: Someone Location: Springs on Mar 24, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Maybe no one gets help because of the outcome of the results of getting help. Like myself I was a victim of depression and struggle with it all my life. I went to go get help and they took my babies from me and now im suffering more than before. I think we just need to focus on our next generation. I have an idea how but until i get my kids back i cant make a change but i do have big plans for the future. Its sad that were the on the top three but thats becuase our society which is full of hatered.

Posted by: david Location: colorado springs on Mar 24, 2008 at 08:47 PM
you may want to know that a couple of the leading suicide researches live here. you can check out there work here: http://psych-tech.com/

Posted by: debra Location: colorado springs on Mar 24, 2008 at 06:03 AM
this story is misleading. the stats come from a 2004 survey.maybe we are not as bad anymore or maybe we are worse. still states wrong info

Posted by: ami Location: Idaho on Mar 24, 2008 at 12:06 AM
I think that the growing drug problem is also to blame

Posted by: Jack Location: Security on Mar 23, 2008 at 09:27 PM
Doing the math, thats like 75 a year. I know some people who have killed themselves in the past, but I rarely hear about them in the news, maybe we need more media coverage to get it out and get them more help.

Posted by: gapthemind Location: colorado springs, co on Mar 23, 2008 at 09:22 PM
Wow. That sucks. Why?

Posted by: Sarge Location: C/S on Mar 23, 2008 at 04:08 PM
Would like to see how many are military or ex-military.

Posted by: Ron Location: C/S on Mar 23, 2008 at 11:44 AM
I'm not surprised with the way people act towards one another.

Posted by: ami Location: idaho on Mar 23, 2008 at 11:23 AM
colorado springs has had a real problem for years. It is about time that we do something about this.

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