A campaign to reduce the stigma around mental illness and creation of support groups and suicide prevention awareness programs are likely to be part of a new community action plan to reduce suicides in the region.
On Monday, San Juan Basin Public Health released a summary report on its recent community suicide prevention summit, and said the agency will pursue collaborative action in upcoming months.
The action plan is in the early planning stages, according to Claire Ninde, a spokeswoman for the health department. Although SJBPH has not convened formally with any partners, Ninde stressed the importance of a joint effort.
“This action plan will only be successful if this is a community-based response,” she said.
In response to feedback from the summit, the health department will structure the plan around the 10 Pillars of a Suicide Safer Community, developed by LivingWorks, a news release said. LivingWorks is a public service organization that works to empower communities with life-saving skills.
The 10 pillars of action include:
Establishing a leadership committee with representation from schools, healthcare providers, the faith community, law enforcement and others;Develop a community needs assessment and action plan to guide the leadership team; Mental health and wellness promotion that could include enhancing existing resources with such things as mindfulness training and family-friendly gathering places;Suicide prevention awareness that could include expanding initiatives such as anti-bullying programs;Training community members to identify at-risk people and help them get needed support; Suicide intervention collaboration to ensure crisis providers and counselors can provide needed support; Improve clinical and support services collaboration and communication to better understand possible gaps in services; Suicide bereavement support and ensuring resources are accessible to individuals and families; Evaluation and dissemination of the action plan, and Capacity building and sustainability to ensure the efforts have long-lasting strength. According to the news release, supporting mental health and wellness was a priority of community members, and it will be a key focus. Mindfulness training and support groups are two responses being considered.
Suicide prevention awareness was another priority at the summit, generating discussion over how to prevent suicidal thoughts. The release lists anti-bullying campaigns as one possible answer.
San Juan Basin Public Health will continue the discussion started at the summit through a campaign to reduce the mental health stigma while the action plan is under development.
“We are looking at possibly mimicking the Let’s Talk Colorado campaign, but we haven’t committed to anything yet,” Ninde said.
Let’s Talk Colorado is a public health campaign that aims to reduce the stigma of mental illness so that people do not feel ashamed about asking for help.
mrupani@durangoherald.com
For help
Help for people having suicidal thoughts or for those who fear a person is considering killing himself or herself is available from these sources:
: 24-hour crisis hotline at (970) 247-5245.
National Suicide Prevention hotline: (800) 273-TALK (8255).
RED Nacional de Prevención del Suicidio: (888) 628-9454.
National Crisis text Hotline: 741741
Boys Town Hotline: (800) 448-3000.
Safe2Tell Colorado: (877) 542-7233 or online at
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Support Line: (844) 493-8255. The line has mental-health professionals available to talk to, live chat or text adults or youths in English and Spanish about any crisis.
: (866) 488-7386. Crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth via online chat, text or phone.
(720) 962-0706. This is not a crisis hotline, but the fund is available to youths who face social or financial barriers to crisis counseling. The organization requires a referral by a school counselor or mental health professional.
