September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month-
A Message From Our CEO, Dr. Kiara Kuenzler
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We’re about six months into the COVID-19 pandemic, and while in some ways, we have begun to adjust to this new world that we are living in, we are also feeling the toll that this experience has taken on our mental wellbeing.
The role our mental health plays is incredibly important, and we are beginning to see the significant impact of COVID-19 and the associated social and economic ramifications. An increasing number of people are reaching out to us for help and support who have never accessed treatment before. We are also noticing that by the time people come to us, they are sometimes in significant distress, because they have waited too long to seek help.
When the COVID-19 outbreak began, we knew that there would be a significant impact on our health, the health and wellbeing of our families, our financial stability, and our mental and emotional wellbeing. We’re beginning to see data and outcomes from a variety of studies and reports that show this is true. According to a study from the Colorado Health Foundation, 53% of respondents said they had an increase in stress, anxiety or loneliness during the pandemic, and the mental health strain from the pandemic impacted all of the study’s demographics.
For many, some symptoms of depression are normal reactions to abnormal circumstances. However, it is important to seek help early and talk to someone who can help identify ways to cope so that you can start feeling like yourself again and symptoms don’t get worse.
The depression rates we are seeing are higher than in other large-scale traumas, possibly attributed to the ongoing nature of the event, and the presence of multiple traumas- from fear of getting the virus, to grief over losing loved ones, to anxiety about the future and the economic fallout. These ongoing pervasive stressors are also leading to a higher rate of suicide ideation.
Suicide is preventable, and in times of crisis, it’s even more important to make your mental health a priority. Anxiety and depression are treatable, and options like telehealth are making connecting with a therapist to receive treatment even easier. Take steps to establish healthy routines, look for positive and uplifting moments throughout the week, and engage in stress-relieving activities. Know the risk factors and warning signs of suicide and what you can do to help. Most importantly, stay connected to your loved ones. Don’t be afraid to be open about what you are experiencing and ask others how they are feeling as well. Chances are, you will find you are not alone and that connecting with others will offer some comfort and hope.
We will get through this, but there will continue to be tough times ahead. If you or someone close to you needs to talk to someone, call Jefferson Center at 303-425-0300 or call the Colorado Crisis Services at 1-844-493-8255 or text “TALK” to 38255, 24/7.
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What You Can Do to Support Suicide Prevention Awareness |
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Suicide is a public health concern that we can all help to spread awareness and provide support around. If we give space to the conversation around suicide and shed the stigma that surrounds it, we can collectively help our communities to prevent suicide.
Here’s how you can continue to support suicide prevention this month and beyond.
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Sign Up for a FREE Suicide Prevention Training
Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) – 3 simple steps that anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Just as people trained in CPR help save thousands of lives each year, 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. Register for the upcoming class on September 30 here.
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Educate Yourself
Get the facts so you know how to identify when someone might be in a crisis and offer support, resources, and get them connected to help.
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Offer Support
- Share tools and resources with others
- Check in with a friend by phone or text message to see how they are doing
- Send a handwritten card to let someone know you are thinking of them
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Drive to Raise Awareness on September 27
Drive to Fight Suicide - Out of the Darkness Denver Metro Experience
Instead of walking, this year, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention will be hosting a drive-by parade to raise awareness about suicide prevention! To learn more, click here.
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Join us for the 30th Annual Helping Kids Thrive Parent Conference
Our annual Helping Kids Thrive parent conference is back for its 30th anniversary and this year, we're going virtual!
This is a free event that provides hands-on practical information for parents, caregivers, and guardians to help children of all ages grow in positive ways.
This year, the event will run for two evenings, September 30 and October 1, from 5-9 p.m. Attendees will be able to tune in to two live, 90-minute classes each day AND all registrants will have access to all of the recorded sessions for 30 days after the event. In addition, there will be opportunities for additional Q&A with our presenters, and a virtual resource fair.
There is a great lineup of classes including:
- Empowering Successful Kids: Raising Confident, Caring Young People
- The Teen Brain: What Are They Thinking?
- Parenting in a Digital World
- Helping Your Child Tame Their Anxious Mind
- and many more!
Click the button below to learn more, see a full list of classes, and register for the conference. You won't want to miss this!
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You’re Invited to the Annual Legislative BBQ |
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This is an important election year with the challenges we all currently face, and we won’t let COVID-19 hold us back, so we will be going virtual!
Participants will hear from elected officials and candidates about issues that are important to our community and our nonprofits, and how we can work with officials to improve the lives of the people that we serve. Candidates with jurisdictions in Jefferson County including Commissioners, the District Attorney, the Colorado State House and Senate, and U.S. Congress are invited to participate and speak.
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Thank You For Making Our Soirée at Home a Success! |
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On Thursday, September 10, donors, community partners, client families, board members, and staff members gathered together for Jefferson Center’s first ever virtual gala, Soirée at Home.
Our featured programs for the evening were Mental Health First Aid and Navigation Services. We shared the story of Gaile, a woman who has overcome homelessness and turned her life around with the help of the Jefferson Center Navigation Services team. You can view Gaile’s story here.
So far, we have raised more than $9,000 to benefit Mental Health First Aid and Navigation Services. We are so close to raising $10,000... help us get there! If you didn’t get a chance to give, it’s not too late! You can donate via text by texting JEFFERSON to 56651, and following the prompts to make your donation. We also invite you to share Gaile’s story with your friends, family, and colleagues and encourage their support as well.
This event would not have been possible without the support of our generous sponsors, the gala planning committee, volunteers, and in-kind donors. We extend our sincere thanks to all of you!
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Bronze Sponsors:
Auction Donors:
African Eyes Travel
Al Sahlstrom
Arapahoe Basin
Argonaut Wine & Liquor
Avery Brewing
Becky Carr
Chaz DePaolo
Cheyenne Mountain Resort
Colorado Railroad Museum
Core Power Yoga
Dan Fishbein
Delafoto
Denver Center for the Performing Arts
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Denver Zoo
Dr. Brandon Ward
Earthlinks
Elisabeth Suarez
First Watch
Flights Wine Cafe
Granite Source, Inc.
History Colorado Center
Jefferson Center Adult Outpatient Managers
Jerry & Julie DiTullio
Jessica Dunbar
John Fielder
Kristi Williams Photography
Latitude Sports Marketing
Lodge Casino
Lori Lyons
Lorraine Bowen
Marcia Breit Hudgens of Basket Perfect
Mari Crespin Studios
Marvin & Janice Fleming
McNeil Designer Portraits
Miners Alley Playhouse
Red Rocks Country Club
Ron Cady
Starbucks (Belleview & Kipling)
Susan Matthews
Tamale Kitchen
The Ballet Physique
Tracy Hofeditz
Trader Joe's
Vita Brevis Fine Art
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Whether you’re handling, work, school, or all of the responsibilities in between, life can get stressful! Be sure to strengthen your mental health defenses and get through difficult periods by making time for self-care.
Self-care is all about incorporating small practices into your day that help you attend to your mental, physical, and emotional needs long before a stressful event makes you run out the door to get an emergency pedicure. Read our blog post and get some ideas to help you add a little self-care into your everyday life!
If you’re looking for tools and tips to help you relax and beat the stress, check out our series of on-demand webinars by visiting our Classes and Events page.
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Good News This Month
Fun and uplifting stories to brighten your day
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Follow Jefferson Center on social media! |
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