A 17-year-old girl died by suicide around 11:30 a.m. Monday in Bayfield, said La Plata County Coroner Jann Smith.
Smith declined to identify the teenager Monday night, saying she wanted to protect the privacy of the family.
Smith said the cause of death was from a gunshot wound.
The Upper Pine River Fire Protection District posted on its Facebook page Monday that the problem of suicide “has not been solved, not even a dent.”
The fire district’s Facebook post added: “Fire District medics are here for you and can get you to where you need to be. If you don’t want to talk to someone locally, the 800 number is on this post (1-800-273-TALK). JUST REACH OUT. If (you’re) a parent who enjoys your gun rights, lock them up, trigger locks, safes, just hiding them doesn’t work.”
Help for people having suicidal thoughts or for those who fear a person is considering killing herself or himself can be found from these sources: Axis Health System:
24-hour hotline at 247-5245. National Suicide Prevention Hotline:
(800) 273-TALK (8255) or text “TALK” to 741741. RED Nacional de PrevencióN Del Suicidio:
(888) 628-9454. National Crisis text Hotline:
741741 Fort Lewis College Counseling Center:
247-7212. Boys Town Hotline:
(800) 448-3000. Safe2Tell Colorado:
(877) 542-7233 or online at https://safe2tell.org
. Colorado Crisis Support Line:
(844) 493-8255 or text “TALK” to 38255 or online at http://www.coloradocrisisservices.org/
to access a live chat available in 17 languages. The line has mental-health professionals available to talk to adults or youths about any crisis, 24 hours a day. Trevor Project:
(866) 488-7386. Crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth via online chat, text or phone. Southern Ute Community ACtion Program:
Visit www.sucap.org
and click on Suicide Prevention for a list of trained gatekeepers. Second Wind Fund:
(720) 962-0706. This is not a crisis hotline, but the fund is available to youths who face social or financial barriers to crisis counseling. The organization requires a referral by a school counselor or mental-health professional. Survivors Support GrouP:
Heartbeat of Durango meets from 6 to 8 p.m. the second Wednesday of every month at the La Plata County Fairgrounds, 2500 Main Ave. Contact Janna for information at (970) 749-1673. American Foundation for Suicide Prevention:
Colorado chapter information available at https://afsp.org/chapter/afsp-colorado/ For Men:
A website for adult men contemplating suicide, who often are unwilling to seek help, is available at www.mantherapy.org
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