La Plata County
Suicide Prevention Collaborative
A community-led approach to suicide prevention
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Community Connection & Support
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Basic & Economic Needs
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Healthcare Practices
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Stigma Reduction & Community Education
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Safe Storage of Firearms & Medications
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Aftermath of a Suicide Event
Connectedness
What this means: “Connectedness” refers to the degree in which individuals feel a sense of belonging or feel supported by their community.
What this can look like: Supporting veteran serving organizations, organizations that serve people with disabilities (like Southwest Center for Independence), or organizations that work with youth (like The HIVE or Four Corners Rainbow Youth Center). Increasing connectedness can also include supporting or working with other coalitions and organizations that create and promote healthy, pro-social spaces and events for the community (like the ROAR Coalition or In the Weeds).Building connectedness can be as simple as asking someone how they are and really listening.
Economic Stability
What this means: “Economic stability” refers to whether or not an individual has the resources essential for a healthy life, resources like affordable housing, healthcare, access to healthy & affordable food, quality childcare, and living wages.
What this can look like: Increasing community awareness of local food security initiatives ( The Good Food Collective, Manna Soup Kitchen, Pine River Shares), supporting affordable housing and transportation programs or legislation, and promoting programs (Women, Infants & Children, SNAP: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, NFP: Nurse-Family Partnership)
Access To Suicide Safer Care
What this means: “Suicide Safer Care” refers to the suicide prevention-related and suicide risk reduction policies and protocols in health care settings (emergency departments, behavioral health clinics, and primary care offices)
What this can look like: Screening patients for suicide risk (emergency departments, behavioral health clinics, primary care offices), educating clinical and non-clinical staff about warning signs and interventions, supporting local healthcare facilities in strengthening existing policies and protocols or supporting the implementation of suicide prevention frameworks (Zero Suicide)
Education & Awareness
What this means: This refers to the degree to which community members are aware of and educated about of the issues related to suicide and how they can help themselves or others.
What this can look like: Getting involved in stigma reduction activities (having honest conversations about suicide or mental health within your own circles), continuing to educate yourself around issues of mental health, participating in or promoting educational opportunities (QPR: Question, Persuade, Refer) or Trauma-Informed Suicide Prevention Training)
Lethal Means Safety
What this means: “Lethal means” are what a person might use to attempt or complete suicide. Most commonly, lethal means safety refers to reducing unnecessary access to lethal means such as firearms or prescription medications for individuals at risk.
What this can look like: Working with and educating local gun shops and firearm owners (GSP: Colorado Gun Shop Project) on potential warning signs and interventions, distributing free gun locks or promoting events and locations where people can safely dispose of old or unwanted medications.
Postvention & Bereavement
What this means: This refers to the aftercare of a suicide event (an attempt or loss) and involves asking: 1) how to support suicide attempt survivors and suicide loss survivors, 2) how relevant agencies (media, emergency medical services, hospitals, etc.) handle a suicide event in a way that doesn’t cause further trauma, and 3) how community members can come together to support one another?
What this can look like: Promoting local survivor support groups, providing bereavement resources to grieving families, supporting postvention-focused organizations (The Grief Center of Southwest Colorado) and ensuring media outlets are reporting on suicide events in responsible ways.
