DENVER — During the coronavirus pandemic, another major health crisis is gaining attention.
"It's absolute hell. It's excruciating loneliness," said Mabri Bliss. "Ever since I was a kid, I just struggled with contemplating suicide."
The crisis of depression and suicide among young adults is the focus of a documentary airing at 9 p.m. Tuesday night on MTV. Bliss is one of two Coloradans interviewed for the documentary.
"I just hope that people can relate to somebody," Bliss said. "There is nine of us in the film, and all of us come from different walks of life."
The movie was recorded in early 2020, but the message has renewed meaning in a year when depression and suicide have broken records in Colorado and across the country.
Suicide is the number one cause of death for adolescents age 10 to 14 in Colorado, a state that ranks eighth for the highest suicide rate in the U.S.
"This is absolutely a public health crisis," said Dr. Jenna Glover, a child clinical psychologist at Children's Hospital Colorado. "The pandemic has not only challenged our physical health, but it has put our teens and our children in a mental health crisis."
Experts with Children's Hospital Colorado said the best way to immediately help struggling adolescents and young adults is simply talk with them about it.
"One of the most important things we can do are have these conversations and know that youth want to have these conversations," Glover said. "Ask your teen about how they're doing, and specifically being willing to ask them if they're having thoughts of suicide."
The nine young adults profiled in 'Each and Every Day' seek to bring attention to that conversation.
"Sharing [my story] has given me the strength to heal," Bliss said. "I think it's a big deal for [MTV] to put content like this out there because it's only going to save lives."
For resources on how to speak with your family or friends about depression and suicide, Children's Hospital Colorado has put together a guide.
Emergency resources for individuals struggling with suicide can be found at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
'Each and Every Day: Stories from Survivors' will air commercial-free on MTV, Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
