The Center for Mental Health has received the coroners' reports for its six-county service area of Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray, and San Miguel. The reports are for the first quarter of 2011 and show an alarming number of suicide deaths for a three-month period, especially in the counties of Montrose and Delta. Since the reports were issued, there have been two additional deaths in Montrose County.

Since Jan. 1, eight people in Montrose County and four people in Delta County have taken their own lives. This is current to today. There has been one suicide each in Gunnison and San Miguel counties. Neither Hinsdale nor Ouray county is reporting suicide deaths for the first quarter. That makes 14 total suicide deaths in the six-county region since Jan. 1, 2011. In 2010, there were 15 suicides during the entire year across these same six counties.

Mental health experts and history show that there is a year-to-year fluctuation in the suicide rate. However, Colorado has consistently had a suicide rate that is about 40 percent higher than the U.S. rate and the Western Slope typically has some of the highest rates in the state. More Coloradans die by suicide each year than those who die in motor vehicle crashes and homicide combined. Preventing suicide must become a public health priority.

According to Jon Gordon, executive director of the Center for Mental Health, "Suicide must become a community issue, it cannot be addressed by one agency and it cannot be one individual's problem or one family's concern. Suicide affects everyone and we are all diminished with each person whose life is lost to suicide."

Suicide is preventable. Help is a phone call away. If you are considering suicide, if you believe killing yourself is the only option to the pain you are feeling — stop and make a phone call, just one phone call, please. Call 911 or 252-6220, the center's 24-hour crisis number. Help is immediate. If you just want someone to talk to, call the Suicide Prevention Talk Line, 800-273-8255 anytime day or night.

If you are concerned that someone you know may be thinking about suicide, do not leave that person alone, take the threats seriously, and call 911 or the center's 24-hour crisis number, 252-6220. Trained therapists are on staff 24 hours a day, every day to help someone experiencing a mental health crisis. Do not delay. The call is free. The worst thing you can do is nothing.

Suicide in our communities is at crisis levels. We need to care about each other and watch for warning signs in those we love and are concerned about. Suicide warning signs include:

• Serious depression

• Change in appetite or weight

• Change in sleeping habits

• Loss of interest in favorite activities

• Feeling increasingly isolated

• Fatigue and loss of energy

• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt

• Feelings of hopelessness

• Saying they want to die

• Difficulty in concentrating and making decisions

• Giving away prized possessions

• Preoccupation with death and dying

Sudden drop in school or work performance

Be especially concerned if this person uses alcohol or drugs, has a family history of suicidal behavior, or has been depressed and suddenly seems cheerful.

If you would like more information, call Judy Schmalz, the Center for Mental Health suicide prevention coordinator at 252-3228. You can find more help and information about suicide prevention services that are free and available to the public at the center's website, www.centermh.org under the services menu tab.

Triple click and type.