Resources
Crisis
If you or someone you know is in a crisis, please call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. Or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting “talk” to 741741. Help and hope are available 24/7/365.
There are no wrong doors when it comes to reaching out during a crisis. We also know that it can be confusing to have too many options in moments of duress, which is why we’ve highlighted the National 988 Suicide and Crisis Line on our website. However, there are multiple local and national crisis support resources we wanted to be sure to share, too. These include:
- National Lifeline: Call 988
Press 1 for Veteran assistance press 1 or Press 3 for LBGTQIA+ specific resources - Colorado Crisis Services: Call 844-493-8255
Provides confidential help for any mental health, substance use or emotional crisis, as well as peer counseling services - Crisis Text Line: Text TALK to 38255
- Emergency Services: Call 911.
Police will respond, ask for those specifically trained in suicide prevention - Safe2Tell: Call 877-542-7233, use the Safe2Tell website, or download the Safe2Tell app.
Safe2Tell is available for students, parents, teachers, staff and community members to anonymously report concerns around students.
Need to go somewhere now?
West Springs Hospital
515 28.5 Road, Grand Junction, CO 81501
Walk-in crisis stabilization or call ahead 970-201-4299
Crisis Walk-In Center – Clinic, AxisHealth System
300 N Cascade Avenue, Montrose, CO 81401
Walk-in crisis stabilization or call ahead call ahead 970-252-3203
Are you a veteran?
Grand Junction VA Medical Center
2122 North Avenue, Grand Junction, CO 81501
Walk in emergency services or call ahead: 970-242-0731 (during business hours) or 970-263-2800 (after hours care line)
You can also take a self-check quiz, start a confidential online chat session, or send a text to 838255 to connect to a VA responder.
Prevention
Multiple factors, also known as social determinants of health, can contribute to someone considering suicide. As such, prevention resources cover a variety of subjects, including mental health, employment, food and shelter, legal support, community connection and more. Below are some specific organizations that can be of assistance for addressing these issues and helping to bring stability, health and wellbeing to life.
For more information about what the Coalition is doing within and addition to the resources below, check out our current efforts.
If you would prefer guidance with finding and connecting to the right resources for you, check out GV Connects and Western Colorado 211.
Mental health and counseling resources
Mind Springs Health
In addition to counseling services, Mind Springs offers Peer Support Services. Peer Specialists are available to support individuals and/or their family members in living more successfully with mental illness. Support is available individually or as part of a group. A range of modalities and topics are available including substance dependence, chronic pain, mood regulation and coping skills.
https://www.mindspringshealth.org/
treatment-services/other-programs-and-services/
Counseling and Education Center (CEC)
CEC offers individualized, weekly appointments with the same therapist, with no limit on number of sessions and no eligibility requirements. CEC welcomes all ages, races, gender identities, and sexual orientations. Services options include: individual and group therapy; children’s play therapy, family and couple therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TFCBT), Feedback Informed Treatment, and Acu-Wellness.
Triad EAP
Triad EAP is an employee assistance program (EAP) that partners with employers to help employees and their families through counseling, financial and legal consultation, work-life benefits, and life coaching. Five free sessions per issue are provided with a choice of counselor. Triad EAP also has crisis counseling services available 24/7 for employees with this employee assistance benefit. EAP providers are listed on the back of health insurance cards or in employee handbooks.
Behavioral Health and Wellness
Behavioral Health and Wellness provides integrative services ranging from individual, family and group therapy, psychological testing, and biofeedback. Two prescribing nurse practitioners are also on staff.
Community / Prevention Resources
Legal Assistance
- Colorado Legal Services: 970-243-7940
- Disability Law Colorado: 970-241-6371
- Mediation Center of Colorado: 970-985-2314
Law Enforcement
- Mesa County Sheriff Department: 970-244-3500
- Mesa County Victim Services: 970-244-1730
- Grand Junction Police Department: 970-549-5000
- GJPD Community Resources: 970-549-5331/GJPD Victim Services 970-549-5290
Child Abuse
- Mesa County Department of Human Services: 970-242-1211 (elder abuse as well)
- Western Slope Center for Children: 970-245-3788
Emergency Shelters
- HomewardBound: 970-256-9424
- Rescue Mission: 970-243-4230
Employment
- Mesa County Workforce Center (WFC): 970-248-0871
- WFC Job Services Center 970-248-7560
Substance Abuse Counseling
- Amos Counseling: 970-778-4360
- Peer 180: 970-644-5020
General Suicide Prevention Websites
- American Association of Suicidology: Provides research and education regarding suicide.
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Learn more about education and advocacy.
- Nat’l Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): Learn more about multiple behavioral health conditions and research.
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Resource and support for those with or those supporting those with mental illnesses.
- Mantherapy.org: Provides reliable and friendly information regarding depression, specifically designed for men.
- Mystrength.com: Telehealth services for supporting mental health and wellbeing. Enter WELLNESS as your access code upon sign-up.
- Suicide Prevention Resource Center: Offers research, education and is the group connected to Zero Suicide and the National Action Plan.
- Suicide Prevention Coalition of Colorado: Advocacy within Colorado, education and facilitates a regional conference annually called Bridging the Divide.
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Attempt and Loss Survivor Support
Everyone processes grief and loss differently, and fortunately, there are many resources available to find the right one for you or your loved ones. This section includes a collection of local resources (within the Grand Valley), as well as ones available nationally and internationally.
Also, if you are not currently experiencing a crisis but would like to talk to someone immediately, please call the non-urgent suicide loss helpline at 1-800-646-7322 or click the button below.
Local Resources
Heartbeat of Grand Junction
Heartbeat was organized to help survivors absorb the impact of the self-inflicted death, to offer comfort of empathy, understanding and to support each other toward a healthy resolution to the grief. Available services include survivor after suicide loss support groups (meets monthly on the third Tuesday 7:00 p.m. MT), an informational newsletter and connection to other resources.
HopeWest
HopeWest offers an array of support groups where people can learn how to cope with grief and connect with others who share a common bond. Other grief services, such as individual counseling or equine therapy, are available for children and adults. Camp Good Grief offers supports to children and teens who have lost someone to suicide.
Creating Connections for Healing
This is a Zoom-based peer support group for those grieving a suicide loss. The group is held the first Wednesday of every month from 6:30-7:30 p.m. MT. To register, please contact the organizer, Janice Curtis, via email or text.
Compassionate Friends
This is a worldwide organization offering support for the loss of a child (not suicide specific). Mesa County has a chapter that meets on the first Tuesday of every month from 7:00-8:30 p.m. MT. Contact the organizers for more information.
https://www.compassionatefriends.org/chapter/mesa-county-chapter/
The Grand Junction Vet Center
This organization provides confidential help for Veterans, service members, and their families at no cost in a non-medical setting. The Grand Junction Vet Center can offer counseling and other support, such as bereavement counseling for families who have lost a loved one while they were serving on active duty and grief counseling.
Art Forward
These art classes are led by a local artist, Nancy Lewis, and are offered to help people survive their grief from loss, emotional conflict, and/or stress. For more information, please contact Nancy Lewis via email or phone.
Therapy Providers (Various)
If you are interested in pursuing professional counseling or other therapy-based services, the publication, Psychology Today, has a helpful resource for finding local providers. We recommend calling prior to service to confirm availability, cost and insurance coverage.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/co/grand-junction
NAMI Western Slope
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Western Slope is a grassroots organization that provides education, support and advocacy for people and their families affected by mental illness, including free classes and support groups.
National / Online Resources
There are many suicide prevention sites with helpful information specific for loss and attempt survivors. Here are some to start with:
Alliance for Hope for Suicide Survivors
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (I’ve Lost Someone)
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (After A Suicide Loss)
Dougy Center (Grief Support Resources)
Postvention Alliance (Attempt)
South Dakota Suicide Prevention (Loss)
South Dakota Suicide Prevention (Attempt)
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (Coping with Loss)
Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (Suicide Attempt Survivors)
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Here are a few other supports to consider:
- International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day—This is an annual event held in November, usually on the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
- Out of the Darkness Walk—This is an annual event usually held sometime in the fall.
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)—If your employer or the employer of the deceased has access to EAP resources, then this program can provide support to the survivor(s) of suicide. Check with the human resources department or representative for more information.
- Chaplains and Faith Communities—Connecting with true-to-you spiritual resources or supports, practicing mindfulness and/or adopting a meditation practice can all help with processing grief and loss.
- Talking to Children about Suicide Loss—Here are two (2) websites that may be helpful for starting and continuing the conversation about losing someone to suicide.
Classes and Events
There are a quite a few options for Grand Junction community members to learn more about their unique (and important!) role in suicide prevention. Below are the curriculums currently offered by SPMC trainers, as well as those available through community partners.
If you’re not sure which one might be best for you, Jennifer Daniels, a team member of SPMC, would be happy to chat through what might be the best fit for you. Email her at info@suicidepreventionmc.org.
SPMC Provided Trainings
Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
In-person; One (1) day interactive training—8 hours total
2024: February 23, April 18, September 24, December 6
Mental Health First Aid for Adults is a training that teaches people how to recognize signs of mental health or substance use challenges in adults ages 18 and older, how to offer and provide initial help, and how to guide a person toward appropriate care if necessary. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, psychosis, and addictions.
https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/
population-focused-modules/adults/
Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA)
In-person; One (1) day interactive training—8 hours total
2024: March 8, August 16, October 11
Youth Mental Health First Aid is a training designed for adults who regularly interact with young people (ages 12-18). The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a five (5) step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.
https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/
population-focused-modules/youth/
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
In-person; Two (2) day interactive training—8 hours each day
2024: January 18-19, March 21-22, September 12-13, November 7-8
LivingWorks ASIST is a workshop featuring powerful audiovisuals, discussions, and simulations. At a workshop, you’ll learn how to prevent suicide by recognizing signs, providing a skilled intervention, and developing a safety plan to keep someone alive. Two knowledgeable, supportive trainers will guide you through the course, ensuring your comfort and safety.
Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR)
In-person; One (1) hour training
2024: Upon request
People trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. This QPR Gatekeeper training is available upon request—if you are interested in bringing this to your organization or group, please let us know by using our contact form or send us an email at info@suicidepreventionmc.org.
Soul Shop™
In-person; Duration varies
2024 Trainings: February 8, June 6, September 26
Soul Shop™ is an interactive workshop that equips faith community leaders and other people of faith to train their congregations to minister to those impacted by suicidal desperation. Soul Shop™ believe all congregations are well situated to be significant sources of hope and healing for those impacted by suicide, and Soul Shop™ trains leaders how. Courses range from 90 minutes to 8 hours, and a small fee may apply to some courses.
If you are interested in bringing this to your organization or group, please let us know by using our contact form or send us an email at info@suicidepreventionmc.org.
Partner Provided Trainings
VA S.A.V.E. Training
In-person; 75-minute (1.25 hours) training
Veterans Affairs (VA) S.A.V.E. Training helps people act with care and compassion when encountering a Veteran in crisis or experiencing suicidal thoughts. The acronym is a tool to remember the important steps involved in suicide prevention: Signs of suicidal thinking should be recognized; Ask the most important question of all — “Are you thinking of killing yourself?”; Validate the Veteran’s experience; Encourage treatment and Expedite getting help. Training is free, provided virtually or in person, and the time commitment is 75 minutes. Schedule your training today by contacting local VA training contact, Michael LeFebre.
LivingWorks Start
Online; One (1) hour training
LivingWorks Start is an online, interactive training program that gives you the skills and knowledge to keep family, friends, co-workers, and others safe from suicide. Please contact SPMC for more information about how to access.
CALM (Counseling on Access to Lethal Means)
Online; 120-minute (2 hours) course (estimated time to complete)
Reducing access to lethal means, such as firearms and medication, can determine whether a person at risk for suicide lives or dies. This course, provided by Zero Suicide Institute, is about how to reduce access to the methods people use to kill themselves. It covers who needs lethal means counseling and how to work with people at risk for suicide—and their families—to reduce access. While this course is primarily designed for mental health professionals, others who work with people at risk for suicide, such as health care providers and social service professionals, may also benefit.
Link to Course (login required)
To receive a certificate of completion, you must do the following online: complete each lesson, pass the posttest (passing score is 80% or higher), and answer the feedback survey questions. You can earn a certificate of completion once per year for each course. Continuing education credits are not available.
Five Essential Frameworks for Grief Support
Online; One (1) hour training
Panelists and grief experts Dr. Jillian Blueford and Dr. Kenneth Doka provide an overview of grief and effective counseling techniques. Grounded in contemporary grief and loss theories and frameworks, this presentation expands to consider issues of culture, trauma, and lived experience of the bereaved, providing essential knowledge to anyone in a grief support role striving to improve their knowledge and practice. Thanks to local partner HopeWest, access to to the Hospice Foundation of America webinar is free for viewing until July 25, 2024.
Link to Zoom Recording (login required)
To receive a Continuing Education credit and/or Certificate of Attendance, visit educate.hospicefoundation.org, log in or create a new account and when prompted, enter the code: 5GRIEF. Passing of a test (unlimited attempts to pass at 80% or above) is required to receive your credit or certificate.
Key Considerations for Working with Survivors of Suicide Loss
Online; 90-minute (1.5 hours) training
Joanne Harpel, President of Coping After Suicide, teaches about the most prevalent grief reactions of suicide loss survivors; how suicide bereavement is similar yet different from other traumatic loss; how suicide loss may affect family systems; and strategies for effective grief support. Thanks to local partner HopeWest, access to to the Hospice Foundation of America webinar is free for viewing until November 14, 2024.
Link to Zoom Recording (login required)
To receive a Continuing Education credit and/or Certificate of Attendance, visit educate.hospicefoundation.org to log in or create a new account. When prompted, enter the CE code: KEYS and Site ID: 51166. Passing of a test (unlimited attempts to pass at 80% or above) is required to receive your credit or certificate.
The Grieving Brain
Online; 90-minute (1.5 hours) training
Mary-Frances O’Connor, PhD, author of The Grieving Brain, shares how our brain reacts to the loss of a loved one and how it adjusts to life without that person. Dr. O’Connor also addresses how empirical research (including neuroscience) has helped to define prolonged grief disorder and how targeted psychotherapy is an effective treatment for this disabling condition. Thanks to local partner HopeWest, access to to the Hospice Foundation of America webinar is free for viewing until September 12, 2024.
Link to Zoom Recording (login required)
To receive a Continuing Education credit and/or Certificate of Attendance, visit educate.hospicefoundation.org, log in or create a new account. When prompted, enter the CE code: BRAIN and Site ID: 50943. Passing of a test (unlimited attempts to pass at 80% or above) is required to receive your credit or certificate.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Coming soon!
c/o Counseling and Education Center (CEC)
2708 Patterson Road, Grand Junction, CO 81506
Expand your knowledge of how to prevent suicide by signing up for one of our local classes.
Expand your knowledge of how to prevent suicide by signing up for one of our local classes.
c/o Counseling and Education Center (CEC)
2708 Patterson Road Grand Junction, CO 81506
Copyright 2024 | Suicide Prevention Mesa County (SPMC) | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
Copyright 2024
Suicide Prevention Mesa County (SPMC)
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use