There were more suicides in Colorado in 2014 than ever before. In that year, white men older than 65 years old committed suicide at a rate three times higher than the state average. That's the highest rate for any group.
Colorado State University professor of psychology Silvia Canetto tests two explanations for why in a recent paper for Men and Masculinities. First, white men don't have a chance to learn coping skills that would help as they age. Second, many see suicide as a masculine response to the hardships of getting older.
She spoke to Colorado Matters host Nathan Heffel about the paper and how it could point to new ways of preventing suicide.
