PLN #23

For my 23rd PLN I choose to read an article titled "Colorado Eighth in Suicides" written by the Rocky Mountain News. This article really shocked and surprised me. Not only is Colorado eighth in suicides but, Colorado is also 17th on the depression list. According to Mental Health America, states in the western United States are higher in both categories compared to the east and south. Colorado has ranked around eighth place in suicides for several years, up there with Utah, Wyoming, Nevada, Idaho, Montana and Alaska. Utah is ranked first in depression while Alaska is ranked first in suicides. Sates with the lowest depression rates are: South Dakota, Hawaii, and New Jersey. The lowest states in suicides, on the other hand are: New York and Massachusetts. Last year alone, nearly 800 people died in Colorado from suicides which is nearly four times the homicide rate.

What Matters: I think what matters from this article is not the fact that Colorado is eight on the list but rather that people commit suicide at all. I can't imagine what would possibly drive someone to take their own life. I honestly wonder what's going through their head as they're about to kill themselves and how much they actually thought about it. I think that there should be more awareness for people who suffer from depression and suicides, and more support groups as well.

How This Affects Me: This doesn't really affect me directly, because I don't suffer from depression or want to commit suicide. However, after reading this article it makes me wonder how many people I know that do suffer from these symptoms .