Colorado is famous for some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes, as well as skiing, hunting and local beer culture.
All of these are most visible in the state’s mountain towns, where locals and vacationers alike celebrate every ski season. Despite the lively people and atmosphere, a culture built around isolation, vacations, guns and alcohol with extreme wealth disparity is a perfect storm for a much darker epidemic.
Compared to other municipalities, mountain towns tend to be notable pockets for suicide. Eagle county was no exception until officials and dedicated citizens took action. The 2024 documentary “Paradise Paradox” takes a hard look at one of the saddest parts of ski towns and documents the work Eagle county put in that has lead to less suicide in the area today.
“Paradise Paradox” is named for the contrast between living in one of the most lively and beautiful locations in the country and the alarming suicide rates of these locations. It details the tragic and traumatic suicides which caused loved ones to push for government action and examines the frustration of those who recognized their loved one’s struggle, but were unable to find any resources to help them. The film interviews bereaved parents, friends and siblings, as well as local officials, cops and ski workers, all of whom work to address the issue through sober events, workplace therapy and government action.
Colorado Mesa University’s (CMU) National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) chapter had a screening of “Paradise Paradox” on March 13. They hope to start discussions about solving similar problems in Mesa county.
“We have a paradise paradox within our own community here,” said CMU junior psychology major and director of NAMI Brooke Erickson. “So [we’re] presenting this topic of the paradise paradox in a community not so far away. And they even claim in the film [Eagle county] is the second highest when we’re the first, so it kind of brings to light like, ‘wow, these are issues going on in our communities. How do we tackle that?’ And I think this film kind of gives examples of how we can do that and do better in our own society.”
NAMI puts on a variety of events to raise awareness and start conversations around mental health including frequently tabling in the UC. Students are encouraged to participate in the Run for Ricky, Run for Life memorial event, which NAMI collaborated with many clubs to organize and will be tabling for.
