During Mental Health Awareness Month, Boulder County Public Health is encouraging residents to focus on their own mental health and wellness issues, especially as they relate to firearms and suicidal thoughts.
Colorado ranks sixth in the nation for suicides and tenth for suicides by firearm. As a result, organizations like Boulder County Public Health are taking steps to strengthen gun laws and educate people about suicide awareness, according to a press release. Nearly one-third of teens own a gun, and 25% have access to a loaded gun within 24 hours.
To help save lives, Boulder County Public Health recommends always safely storing firearms, having a crisis plan, and knowing what to watch for in a potentially suicidal person. For more information, visit nimh.nih.gov.
“Individuals can play a major role in preventing gun violence, and the state has created a website, www.letstalkgunscolorado.com, to raise awareness about state and federal laws and gun violence prevention resources and to empower communities to become active participants in reducing gun violence,” state Rep. Judy Amabile, of Boulder, said in a statement.
Public health officials are also teaching awareness programs in classrooms, and several local schools have received training in Source of Strength, a program to reduce suicide rates and improve mental health.
Public health officials also recognized the work of the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office, the Center for Violence Research and Prevention, Boulder County faith-based organizations and others to reduce gun violence.
“We aim to support and partner with these leaders and community members to create a safer Boulder County,” Boulder County Public Health Director Lexie Nolen said in a statement.
resource:
The Colorado Crisis Services Line is available 24/7 to provide emotional, material, crisis and confidential assistance and can be reached by calling 1-844-493-8255 or texting “TALK” to 38255.
