By Shannon Lukens.
Personal stories of suicide and discrimination were the topics at a presentation and panel discussion with STAND, which is Steamboat Team to Disrupt Antisemitism and Discrimination, Thursday. Steps you can take were also discussed and presented.
Anna Allsberry, shown here with Mindy Marriott, is with REPS, which is Reaching Everyone Preventing Suicide. She said the presentation was to raise awareness about suicide and discrimination, and how it affects real people in our community.
“If it evens impacts one person in a positive way, I think it makes all the difference. So I hope that people leave feeling like they’re important and they are empowered to help others.”
The invitation to the event said the following: “Suicide touches the lives of many, leaving deep emotional scars on individuals and communities alike. For those who are marginalized, the feelings of isolation and despair are often amplified, making these conversations even more important. While these topics are sensitive and challenging, through shared stories and mutual concern, we can find hope, healing, and a path toward greater understanding. We hope you’ll join us for this important and compassionate discussion.”
Some of those who attended were Steamboat Springs Police Chief Mark Beckett, Routt County Sheriff Doug Scherar, Steamboat Springs High School Principal Jay Hamric, members of Craig and Steamboat Springs City Councils, and a room full of members of the public, including teenagers and adults.
Minister Tim Selby from the Heart of Steamboat Methodist Church led the presentation. He said the STAND group brings attention to those who need support in the community, “where everybody is cared about and supported. Be open-hearted, respectful, treat each other with care, and we support people here.” Selby added, “All of our lives matter. Life is worth living. We can find our way.”
A 16-year-old transgender high school student started off with an essay of experiences, adding, “I am a human being. I have goals and aspirations, just like everybody else does.”
Anna Allsberry with REPS spoke about how 50,000 people die from suicide each year and millions think about suicide. Over a million survive a suicide attempt. Veterans have a higher rate of suicide than non-veterans. The suicide rate of youth and those of color is lower but increasing.
Allsberry presented this map. She said the Rocky Mountain region is called “The Suicide Belt.” Communities have a higher elevation. The Western Slope has a rate three times higher than the rest of the state.,
Allsberry and Marriott spoke of 19 suicides in the Yampa Valley last year, in the communities in Routt and Moffat counties. Eighteen out of 19 suicides were with firearms. Sixteen of 19 were men.
“Suicide prevention is everyone’s business. Everyone needs to make it a priority,” said Marriott.
Steamboat Springs Police Chief Mark Beckett spoke about his experience with suicide, both personally and with the police department. He lost a transgender teenage child to suicide when living in Arizona, before moving to Steamboat Springs several years ago.
Chief Beckett spoke of a recent case of which the police department had worked with one person who had struggled with mental illness. That person killed themselves three weeks ago. “This suicide has ripples in the department. The mental illness crisis is in our community.”
It was discussed that suicide is a deeply personal thing, especially trying to apply logic to something that is completely illogical. What can be done? Stand up and advocate for people who struggle. Call for resources and let them know that we see them.
Two people spoke about their experience with suicide. The first person who has been in the community for 35 years had experience with it from her family. “How do we let someone know they are seen, they are worthy, and they have immeasurable value? No one should have to walk this path alone. When someone is in crisis, they are vulnerable. A community connection is the difference between isolation and hope. It is a space to exist without shame. We need to learn to listen with compassion and without judgment. It starts with all of us. Lives are saved sometimes with the smallest interactions.” She ended with, “I love this community and the courage it takes to have conversations like this.”
A second person is a survivor of suicide, living and working in the community. She says, though, “It is not my identity. It is an experience I lived through,” and now she provides encouragement to those around her. “There is nothing wrong with you.”
She said she was unable to get the medication and mental health therapy she needed when living here when she was younger so her parents sent her to another state to live with her grandparents, to get the help she needed, which she did.
“There are people out there who will hold you and accept you and love you for who you are. If you have lost a loved one, it is not your fault. It is not about you. It is about them. It will get better. My brain is working WITH me and not AGAINST me. Healing is not impossible.”
Questions from the audience were answered by the panel. One was about guns, since guns were used in 18 out of the 19 suicides in the Yampa Valley this year. Allsberry said “Anything that creates time and distance helps with suicide prevention.” That means a gun lock or a gun safe can help. Chief Beckett says it is a law that any guns or firearms have to be secured. There is also the Colorado Gun Shop Project where local gun stores will hold on to your guns if you ask. Store ammunition in a separate place to create the “time and distance” separation. Or maybe you can have a friend hold onto your firearms for you.
Marriott spoke of the difficulty of 19 suicides last year. “All of these losses have different stories.” She said a Suicide Mortality Review Committee has been created with REPS, the coroner, and law enforcement to try to figure out, “Why are we really losing people in this valley?”
Marriott says REPS offers five free sessions of complimentary counseling, if someone needs it. She says they are the only non-profit in Colorado that does that.
She also says she has a group of Suicide Prevention Advocates, which she calls, “Angels of the Valley.” She says they have support groups. Go to YampaValleyReps.org
Chief Beckett says the police department is engaging and wanting to break down perceptions, They are trying hard to personalize the officers to change feelings in the community about the police.
Allsberry ended with a presentation of Suicide Warning Signs that can, “come off as a joke but need to be taken seriously.” She says to reach out and have a conversation. “Suicide prevention is everyone’s business. You need to be OK with awkwardness.”
Other reminders are not to minimize their feelings, avoid debating that life is worth living, don’t give advice on how to “fix” it, listen with empathy, listen for warning signs and validate, ask open-ended questions, watch body language, ask directly about suicide and if someone is considering it, continue to listen and support. “If they are thinking about suicide, find out more.” Take the next steps and thank them for sharing, and then stay in touch.
Call 988 which is the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
REPS is at YampaValleyReps.org, or call 970-846-8182.
