Tuesday’s well-attended suicide forum at the Department of Health and Human Services was the latest sign that members of this community are willing to do whatever they can to turn the tide of a troubling trend.

There were approximately 43 suicides in Mesa County in 2016, nearing the all-time high of 47 deaths in 2012. But the deaths of three former of current Grand Junction High students since August created a greater sense of urgency to understand the factors contributing to a local suicide rate that is two to three times the national average.

The Western Colorado Suicide Prevention Foundation and School District 51 hosted four suicide intervention trainings to teach students and local residents concrete steps for what to do if they believe a friend, family member or acquaintance is contemplating suicide. Tuesday’s forum, hosted by the county health department, served as a brainstorming session, which yielded several promising ideas to improve crisis response and intervention.

Read more at The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel.