By Ziggy Ross, Tourism Editor
The issue of suicide in Grand Junction has been on the rise in recent years. Misinformation follows the victims of this public health problem, as does grief and sorrow. But Grand Junction officials and citizens want everyone to know that suicide does not have to be people’s answers, and that they are here to help.
Jennifer Daniels, an employee for Mesa County Suicide Prevention Coalition, is passionate about helping others and knows that suicide prevention is important across the globe. She works to implement safety measures for those who may be contemplating suicide.
“Mesa County is one of eight Colorado Counties working on the Colorado National Collaborative. The Colorado National Collaborative framework goal is to create a comprehensive suicide prevention model to reduce suicide in Colorado and to serve as a blueprint for other states to do the same,” Daniels said.
Preventing suicide is not the only thing Grand Junction officials are working to help with. Many people are affected by suicide, and Grand Junction looks to help all involved. In recent years, officials have noticed a tie between grieving people and suicide attempts. This trend has not gone undetected.
“The only common thread we have seen recently is many folks that we have lost to suicide had been dealing with unprocessed grief,” Daniels said. Since grief has become a factor, some other strategies and help have been implemented into the prevention plan.
“Some other focus areas have been increasing support for families who have lost someone to suicide as well as developing a robust coalition to continue prevention work beyond grant funding,” Daniels said.
Many in Mesa County are hoping that suicide stops being a “bad word,” and gets discussed more than it is now.
“Suicide prevention is everyone’s business,” Daniels said.
Daniels is not the only one that knows this to be true. Wylee Mitchell, a student at CMU, knows the importance of suicide prevention, as she has lived through the tragedy herself.
“Nobody in my tiny town recognized that suicide was even a real thing,” Mitchell said, “Suicide was something that only happened in the movies.”
This would change for this town when a young boy took his life. What was once thought to be a movie trope was now a reality for a small community. The topic of suicide switched from a joke to a serious conversation.
“The grief of losing him and the blame for not being able to save him are some things that I still struggle with today,” Mitchell said, “Losing him was the turning point in my life.”
After this point, Mitchell’s life seemed to become more hectic with each turn. But when she put her trust in someone and was taken advantage of, she had no one to turn to.
“I called my friend, and I told her what happened and told her I needed her,” Mitchell said, “And she didn’t believe me.”
This became a turning point for Mitchell. She put up a wall to keep others out, and no one seemed to care enough to break it down.
“At one point it became too much, and I had the feeling that I had let everyone around me down,” Mitchell said, “I thought that everyone around me was so disappointed in me.”
Mitchell had then made a decision that could have taken her life. But that wasn’t the end for her.
Even though the Monument has been used for grim means it is also filled with millions of reminders of love from people carving their names into the mountain during their visits. Madison Warn 2023.
“I woke up and I knew I was here for a reason,” Mitchell said, “I have never been so thankful in my life, to have my life. I knew that my reason was to help others like me.”
Mitchell now creates t-shirts, raises money, and speaks at conferences about her experience with suicide, and encourages others that suicide does not have to be the answer.
“My message of hope is encourage yourself, believe in yourself, and love yourself,” Mitchell said, “Y Stop Now; The story is just getting started.”
Suicide Lifeline number – 988
Crisis text line – “CO” 741741
Colorado Crisis Services – 844-493-8255 or text “TALK” to 38255
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