Suicide Prevention

San Juan Basin Public Health (SJBPH) believes in supporting all aspects of a person's health, including mental health. We strive to help local residents feel supported in every area of their lives, especially when mental health challenges arise. In this way, SJBPH is working to decrease the rates of suicide mortality and attempts for all individuals in La Plata County.

La Plata County Suicide Prevention Collaborative 

SJBPH is leading a community-based suicide prevention initiative through the La Plata County Suicide Prevention Collaborative, a local coalition dedicated to reducing the rates of suicide losses and attempts for all individuals in our county.  

With funding from the Colorado Office of Suicide Prevention, the collaborative is working to affect change across 6 pillars of prevention:

  • Connectedness: How connected and supported individuals feel in the community 
  • Economic Stability: How well basic needs (like housing and food) are met within the community 
  • Education and Awareness: Reducing mental health stigma and offering opportunities for the community to learn how they can help 
  • Access to Safer Suicide Care: Healthcare practices related to suicide prevention 
  • Lethal-Means Safety: Safe storage of firearms and medications 
  • Postvention and Bereavement: The aftermath of a suicide attempt or loss 

Read More About the Collective Impact Model and the Colorado National Collaborative.  

Join the Effort

One person can save a life. Suicide prevention is about human connection, and we all play a role in supporting one another. Please join us in these efforts.

Collaborative meetings are held on the third Friday of every month from 9:00–10:30 a.m. Contact adenali@sjbpublichealth.org for details on the next meeting and to join our mailing list for coalition updates and events. 

  1. Mental Health Promotion Efforts

Suicide prevention includes maximizing access to preventative and behavioral health services, promoting mental health and stigma-reduction campaigns, and conducting ongoing community outreach and training around responding to signs of suicide.

Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)

Join us in the fight against suicide. A Question, Persuade, Refer training (QPR) is a great introduction to how to respond to signs of suicide for both community members and health and human services providers. In a QPR training, you will:

  • Increase your awareness of suicide as a problem in the community
  • Explore common barriers to intervening
  • Be informed of risk factors and warning signs
  • Increase intervention skills
  • Discuss motivations strategies for increasing safety
  • Learn to provide resources for further help

Reach out to SJBPH's Suicide Prevention Coordinator for more information on upcoming trainings.

  1. Emergency Resources
  1. Non-Emergency Resources

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