Mountain West residents show higher suicide risk in crisis line reports

Mountain West residents show higher suicide risk in crisis line reports

Residents of the Mountain West are more likely to express a desire for self-harm in crisis text conversations compared to the general American population, according to reports from the nonprofit Crisis Text Line.

The nonprofit, which provides an alternative to the federal 988 service, suggests the trend may be linked to the extensive rural areas within these states. In Wyoming, 64% of individuals who contacted the service in recent years were rural residents, the highest proportion of any state in the country. In Wyoming, suicide was a topic in about 30% of conversations, surpassing the national average of 25.7%.

Similar figures were reported in other Mountain West states, with suicide coming up in approximately 30% of conversations in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Utah. Nevada and New Mexico were the only states in the region to fall below the national average, reporting rates of 24.8% and 24.2% respectively.

Tracy Costigan, vice president of impact evaluation and storytelling at Crisis Text Line, attributed these trends to steeper structural barriers facing rural texters. These include geographic isolation and a shortage of hospitals and mental health resources. Costigan also noted a lack of school-based and community programming designed to foster social connection.

The isolation is reflected in the data: nearly two-thirds of rural texters contacted the service because they had no one else to talk to, and almost half reported they had no access to a therapist.

While the regional crisis persists, some public figures have engaged in advocacy. Allison Hart, a lawyer for voice actor Jim Thornton, stated that Thornton has been active in suicide-prevention advocacy after losing a close family member to suicide two years ago. Hart noted that Thornton spent time visiting chat rooms to offer support to those experiencing suicidal ideation and frequently visited the 988lifeline.org website and its associated chat forum.

Outside of direct crisis intervention, community hospitals—which the American Hospital Association says number more than 5,000 nationwide—are exploring how technology might alleviate the strain on healthcare access. Christine Schuster, President and CEO of Emerson Health, argues that artificial intelligence could improve efficiency in community hospitals, potentially translating into more time for patients.

Schuster noted that AI is already being used in areas such as radiology to reduce scan times and in prior authorization to move approvals forward more efficiently. She suggests that if AI reduces the administrative burden on clinicians, it allows them more time to practice medicine and talk with patients. However, she cautioned that community hospitals must ensure technology is safe and effective, stating there is a meaningful difference between being first and being ready.

A 2025 University of Minnesota School of Public Health study, using 2023 American Hospital Association survey data, found that approximately 65% of U.S. Hospitals reported the use of AI-assisted predictive models.

For those currently in crisis, support is available via the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by phone, text, or chat at 988lifeline.org. The Crisis Text Line can be reached by texting HOME or HOLA to 7-4-1-7-4-1.