Suicide Prevention and Wellness

If you or a loved one are in crisis, you can text "BADGE" to 741-741 to connect confidentially with a trained crisis counselor.

You can also call the Colorado Crisis & Support Line by dialing 988 or 844-493-8255. You can also text "TALK" to 38255.

Wellness for 911 Professionals in Colorado

Colorado continues to rank in the top ten of States with a high rate of death by suicide. While Colorado has engaged in lifesaving efforts to stand up a Statewide Crisis & Support line and Crisis System there are still needs and gaps that will result in individuals in crisis (or their loved ones) calling 911. In this case the first point of contact will likely be an Emergency Communications Specialist (ECS) working within a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). The breadth and depth of training for ECS across Colorado varies greatly and frequently includes little training on suicide. In addition, the impact of trauma on ECS results in high turnover rates of these critical positions. One known way to mitigate the impacts of trauma is with awareness, training, and support. The goal for this training plan is to provide a platform to engage ECS and PSAP in suicide prevention training that both supports the critical work of the job and the resiliency of the ECS.

This project was initiated by the Task Force Concerning the Treatment of Individuals with Mental Health Disorders in the Criminal and Juvenile Justice System Data Sharing Subcommittee. Division of Criminal Justice obtained a 2019 Bureau of Justice (BJA) Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Planning (JMHCP) grant to help move the initiative forward by redirecting individuals away from the justice system whose primary driver to 911 is an unmet behavioral health need. One of the key focus areas is on PSAPs and how training can support continued redirection of individuals with primary drives of behavioral health away from the justice system. Leveraging their expertise, the project then engaged with the Colorado 911 Resource Center, Colorado Office of Suicide Prevention , Mental Health First Aid Colorado, and All Clear Foundation to develop this training plan.

FREE Training for Colorado Emergency Communications Specialists

These trainings are offered in collaboration with the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice, Office of Suicide Prevention, Mental Health First Aid Colorado & All Clear Foundation.

Feedback: YES! We want your feedback! Use feedback on these trainings is critical to developing a meaningful and sustainable training plan that services all Colorado ECS for the long haul! Click here to provide feedback.

LivingWorks Start Training

The Office of Suicide Prevention is pleased to provide our partners across Colorado FREE access to the LivingWorks Start suicide prevention gatekeeper training. LivingWorks Start Training is a one-hour, online, interactive training program that gives you the skills and knowledge to keep family, friends, co-workers, and others safe from suicide.

To access the training, click here and enter access code: OSP Gen. Please note that licenses are available for use on a first come, first served basis. Please do not share the URL and access code outside of Colorado.

*LivingWorks Start works best with Google Chrome, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge browsers. It is NOT Internet Explorer compatible. If you have any questions or issues accessing the training, please contact Dymond Ruybal at Dymond.Ruybal@state.co.us.

Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR): Application for QPR Materials

In an effort to subsidize costs passed on to QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) training participants in Colorado, the Office of Suicide Prevention is pleased to consider your application for free QPR training booklets for use in the workshops you facilitate. After completing the application, we will be in touch to review the details of your request. To request QPR materials, please fill out this application.

* Please only request materials if you have identified a QPR trainer and have a training scheduled. Thank you.

S.A.V.E. - VA Sponsored suicide prevention gatekeeper training

S.A.V.E. is a one- to two-hour gatekeeper training program provided by VA suicide prevention coordinators to veterans and those who serve veterans. Optional role-playing exercises are included. The VA Eastern and Western Colorado Health Care Systems offer free Veteran Suicide Prevention S.A.V.E. (“Signs”, “Ask,” “Validate,” and “Encourage” and “Expedite”) trainings to anyone who knows, works with, lives with, or cares for Service members, Veterans, and their families. Trainings can be provided virtually or in person, and time commitment is 75 minutes.

Brief overview of suicide in the veteran population.
Suicide myths and misinformation.
Risk factors for suicide.
Components of the S.A.V.E. model (Signs of suicide, Asking about suicide, Validating feelings, Encouraging help and Expediting treatment).

For more information, please contact:

Eastern Colorado Veterans Administration Contact: VHAECHSuicidePreventionTeam@va.gov

Western Colorado Veterans Administration Contact: Rainy.Reaman@va.gov

RESPOND Relationship and Communications E-Learning on Demand Modules

For a list of current training opportunities, please click here.

Responding to Your Relationship Workshops

For a list of current training opportunities, please click here.

Mental Health First Aid Colorado

For a list of current training opportunities, please click here.

Find a Class - Search by location or Time (Virtual, blended or in-person). Be sure to check the cost. They do offer no-cost for all modalities but check the specific class to be clear.

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