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Teal and purple lights are shining on Pavilion A during National Suicide Prevention Week, September 4-10. We’re rededicating ourselves to preventing suicide and making behavioral health treatment more accessible. The Zero Suicide team is encouraging you to take training on how to identify patients who are at risk and refer them to treatment. Suicide is the seventh leading cause of death in Colorado. Our state's suicide rate is among the highest in the country.
To raise awareness, volunteers will hand out Zero Suicide pins, tumblers and T-shirts to patients and staff throughout the day on Friday, September 9 inside Pavilion A and the Outpatient Medical Center.
Below are some steps you can take to help prevent suicide and self-harm:
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Learn about Denver Health's Zero Suicide initiative here on the Pulse.
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Take training:
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Question-Persuade-Refer (QPR) training is designed for all Denver Health personnel. It will help you identify patients who are at risk of suicide and refer them to treatment. Open Cornerstone and type "Zero Suicide QPR Presentation" in the search bar.
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Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) training is available to all Denver Health personnel and specifically designed for providers and other employees who provide direct patient care. CALM training will teach you how to discuss firearm and lethal means restriction with patients and families. Open Cornerstone and type "Zero Suicide Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM)" in the search bar.
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Invite the Zero Suicide team to your team meeting. Our Zero Suicide team will visit your regular team meeting and talk more about suicide prevention work at Denver Health. The team can also arrange an in-person QPR training session. Send an email to briana.havenner@dhha.org or scott.simpson@dhha.org to learn more.
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Share Colorado's 24/7 crisis line with your patients. Callers can dial 844-493-8255 (TALK) to speak with a counselor and connect to ongoing services. Denver Health's Mobile Crisis Services can respond to crisis line callers in person.
Denver Health personnel who need assistance can access 24/7 confidential peer support by calling 303-436-7473 (RISE).
See local and state resources, warning signs, and tips to help a loved one in need in Denver Health’s blog on suicide prevention.