650 People Walk for Suicide Prevention

An article appearing in the Colorado Community Newspapers highlights the South Metro Out of the Darkness Walk that was on September 11 at Highlands Ranch High School.

So far, the event has raised $67,000 in donations, and the number is climbing. Proceeds benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, a source of comfort and understanding for many who are left behind in the wake of suicide, including Cole. Up to 50 percent of the net proceeds come back to the local community for suicide prevention and awareness.

Click here to access the article.

Altitude and Suicide

A study published in the online edition of the American Journal of Psychiatry finds a significant positive correlation between age-adjusted suicide rate and county elevation. Researchers theorize that the association may be related to the effects of metabolic stress associated with mild hypoxia (oxygen deficiency) in individuals with mood disorders.

Journal Reference:
Namkug Kim, Jennie B. Mickelson, Barry E. Brenner, Charlotte A. Haws, Deborah A. Yurgelun-Todd, and Perry F. Renshaw. Altitude, Gun Ownership, Rural Areas, and Suicide. American Journal of Psychiatry, Sep 15, 2010.

Denver Post OpEd Piece on Suicide in Colorado

A guest commentary by Zeik Saidman in the Denver Post discusses Colorado's high suicide rate in 2009:

People working in the field of suicide prevention were shaking their heads after a recent state report found that after three years of declining numbers, the suicide rate increased to 18.4 per 100,000 or a record high of 940 suicides in Colorado in 2009.

QPR Certified Gatekeeper Instructors Course

The University of Colorado Depression Center is hosting a QPR Certified Gatekeeper Instructors Course on October 1st 8:30 - 5:00 on the Anshutz Medical Campus. The cost is $495 per person. For more information go to http://www.qprinstitute.com/

New Hope Presbyterian Church Appreciation

Yesterday, Phyllis Harvey presented a plaque to New Hope Presbyterian Church in appreciation for their hosting five Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) workshops in 2010. The Rev. Russ Kane accepted the plaque on behalf of New Hope and asked Phyllis to share some information about the ASIST with the congregation.

Both Phyllis and Russ are members of the Douglas County Suicide Prevention Alliance.

ASIST is a two-day work shop that prepares participants to intervene with people who are having thoughts of suicide. Future workshops are scheduled for September 29-30 and October 4-5, 2010; and February 7-8, and June 9-10, 2011.

For more information, contact Betsy Sousa at betsy.sousa@dcsdk12.org or 303-728-4034.

Second Wind Fund of Metro Denver 9th Annual Walk/Run/Ride

The Second Wind Fund of Metro Denver 9th annual Walk/Run/Ride will take place on Sunday, September 19, at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. The event features a 5k, 3 mile walk, or 2 or 4 mile bike ridge through the hilly Green Mountain neighborhoods bordering the fairgrounds or a 1 mile walk on the fairgrounds. Event activities include a free BBQ lunch, massages, t-shirts, concerts, kids' activities, and a memorial dove release. Learn more about the event, register for the race, set up your fundraising page, or sign-up to volunteer by clicking here.

Still Time to Register for the South Metro Out of the Darkness Walk

There's still time to register for the South Metro Out of the Darkness Walk. The walk begins at 9:30 am on Saturday, September 11 at Highlands Ranch High School. To register go to the South Metro Walk's page on the Out of the Darkness website. You can also register the day of the walk.