Contact Person(s):

Shannon Anderson

Director of the Office of Suicide Prevention

Department of Public Health and Environment
303-692-2609
shannon.anderson1@state.co.us

Diane Ryerson

Suicide Prevention Coalition of Colorado

Adolescent Suicide Awareness Program ("ASAP")

dianeryerson@aol.com

Summary of what Colorado is doing:

In 2001, the State legislature doubled the funds allocated for suicide prevention, and various statewide educational programs are underway. Grant money has also been obtained from the Federal government and charitable foundations. 

Applicable Links:

Additional Information on COLORADO

As of November 2, 2001

·         When did current efforts to establish statewide suicide prevention efforts begin?

o        Statewide suicide prevention efforts have been tried in Colorado since the 1980’s. In 1998, the efforts of concerned citizens prompted the Governor’s office to convene the Suicide Prevention Advisory Commission to explore the high rates of suicide in the state and to create a plan for statewide suicide intervention and prevention. The commission completed the state plan for suicide prevention and released this document in 1998. Among the recommendations in the state plan, there was a recommendation that a lead entity be created to coordinate statewide suicide prevention activities and programs. In the 2000 legislative session, a bill was passed creating the State Office of Suicide Prevention within the Department of Public Health and Environment. The Office of Suicide Prevention has been operating since the summer of 2000.

·         Who was (were) the principal people who got things rolling and where did they work?

o        There were a number of people involved in the process, including survivors, professional clinicians, mental health advocates, and employees of various state agencies. There are too many key players to list them all. It was important to have the involvement of survivors, the state departments of mental health and public health, and local prevention programs. Representative Gayle Berry was a strong leader in getting state funding and legislative support.  Dr. Jillian Jacobellis, Stephannie Finley, Jane Norton from the Colo. Department of Public Health.  Dr. Tom Barrett, Louise Borris from the Colo. Department of Mental Health Services.  Dale and Dar Emme, LaRita Archibald, Jan and Bob Burnside, Deb Austin, Barb Van Zuidan, Eleanor Hamm, Dr. Bill Porter, Diane Ryerson, and Jay Peake, survivors and concerned citizens.  Representative Gayle Berry, Senator Elsie Lacy, Governor Bill Owens.

·         What happened first? (legislative push, survivors meetings, formation of committee in some agency. . . ??)

1.       Awareness raised,

2.       Media attention to high suicide rates,

3.       Formation of the Governor’s Suicide Prevention Advisory Commission,

4.       Release of the State Suicide Intervention and Prevention Plan,

5.       Passing of legislation creating the Office of Suicide Prevention.

·         Was there a specific event or activity that cemented the beginning of your work? What was it?

o        Passing of House Bill 1432 creating the Office of Suicide Prevention to coordinate suicide prevention efforts statewide.

·         Was there a former effort that sputtered or disappeared?

o        Yes

·         Any insight on why it vanished?

o        I was not around during these efforts but I would suggest the reason for their lack of sustainability included a lack of government support, funding, and involvement from a variety of entities.