Promising trend as state health department implements comprehensive suicide prevention approach

Denver (May 29, 2025) – In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Office of Suicide Prevention is highlighting the state’s success in reducing suicides across the state, directing Coloradans to mental health resources, and focusing on supporting communities to implement a comprehensive approach to preventing suicide.

Although the nation as a whole has seen an increase in suicide fatalities in the past few years, Colorado is one of the few states that has experienced a reduction in the annual suicide fatality rate. In 2023, suicide fatality rates in Colorado remained statistically steady but showed a slight overall decrease. In 2023, the age-adjusted suicide fatality rate in Colorado was 20.93 per 100,000 population.

“Many of us have been personally impacted by suicide, and we grieve together with families and communities across Colorado who have lost loved ones,” said Lena Heilmann, director of CDPHE’s Office of Suicide Prevention, who lost her sister to suicide in 2012. “We’re proud of the strides we’ve made together that have helped people access helpful resources when they need that additional support, especially during a period of crisis, but we know there is always more work to do. We’re eager to continue building on our progress to create lives worth living and help our friends, family, and community members get the care they need to support their mental health and well-being.”

The office is making significant strides to address the impact of suicide in Colorado through impactful initiatives: 

• Collaboration for change: The office collaborates with the Suicide Prevention Commission, now extended for another decade due to its success in reducing suicide rates statewide.
• Empowering schools: Funding from the Attorney General's Office and federal grants have supported the implementation of Sources of Strength, which, in a peer-reviewed study, has been shown to reduce suicide attempts by 30% in over 100 schools across Colorado.
• Crisis support: The Colorado Follow-Up Project has provided critical follow-up services to over 28,000 individuals after a mental health crisis, including those who have attempted suicide, across 80 hospitals. 
• Accessible therapy: The office partners with the Second Wind Fund to provide free suicide-specific therapy to underinsured or uninsured youth, reaching over 1,000 young people, eliminating barriers to mental health care. 
• Provider training: Nearly 3,000 mental health care providers have been trained in the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality framework, which is part of the Zero Suicide Colorado initiative, to provide suicide-specific care to suicidal individuals. 
• Gun shop outreach: Conducting outreach at over 1,500 gun shops and community events, the office has supported 2,500 visits to provide critical suicide prevention and gun safety resources through the Colorado Gun Shop Project. 
• Community support: The office utilizes grants to fund community-based organizations that deliver tailored services to high-risk populations, including veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals, and rural residents. 
• Community grants: The office funds twelve agencies that serve 27 Colorado counties to implement a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention, which includes increasing connectedness, economic stability, education and awareness, suicide-safer care, lethal means safety, and postvention. 

This ongoing work reflects a comprehensive approach to addressing suicide in Colorado, fostering hope and resilience statewide.

The Office of Suicide Prevention encourages Coloradans to connect with the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line if they are struggling with an emotional, mental health, or substance use concern. Call or text 9-8-8 for free, immediate human support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

To learn more about the Office of Suicide Prevention’s work, visit CDPHE’s website.

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