San Juan Basin Public Health has launched a new public health campaign called “Let’s Talk Colorado” to address the stigma surrounding mental illness.
“We are formally partnering with San Juan County Public Health to coordinate shared messaging around mental health promotion,” said health department spokeswoman Claire Ninde. “San Juan Basin Public Health is also aligning efforts with the work of the ... Southwestern Colorado Area Health Education Center to expand these awareness efforts regionally.”
This year 11 people have died by suicide in the county, said La Plata County Coroner Jann Smith. More than 800 people attended a suicide prevention summit in May at Miller Middle School, and Southern Ute Community Action Programs held a follow-up meeting last month to continue the discussion.
San Juan Basin Public Health will also collaborate with numerous other local organizations and agencies in La Plata and Archuleta counties to distribute Let’s Talk Colorado education and information.
The campaign urges residents to talk openly about mental illness, even if it is awkward or uncomfortable, and aims to increase the community’s overall awareness of mental health resources.
San Juan Basin Public Health encourages individuals suffering from mental health issues to see a therapist or physician.
Liane Jollon, executive director for the health department, said mental health should be given the same attention as any other medical condition.
“When you break a bone, chances are good you’re not going to set it yourself and go on with life, hoping it heals correctly. Instead, you’ll visit a medical professional with the know-how and tools to help your body recover properly. Our mental health deserves the same care,” Jollon said. “A qualified mental health professional will work with individuals to create an effective treatment plan that can include a variety of approaches that responds to an individual’s unique needs.”
Let’s Talk Colorado includes a website, www.LetsTalkCO.org, that shares ideas on how to talk about mental illness; a toolkit of resources, including a video; mental health stigma presentation; flyers; and a newsletter article.
There will be a number of upcoming mental health activities in July, including a mental health stakeholder’s meeting from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday at the Durango Community Recreation Center; suicide intervention training from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the rec center; and a youth and resiliency community awareness event at 5:30 p.m. July 26, with a screening of the film “Paper Tigers” at the Durango Arts Center.
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:
Axis Health System: 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 https://safe2tell.org.
Colorado Crisis Services 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.
Trevor Project: (866) 488-7386. Crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth via online chat, text or phone.
Second Wind Fund: (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.
