By Shannon Lukens.

REPS, which is Reaching Everyone Preventing Suicide, says Northwest Colorado had 19 suicide losses in 2024. Eleven were in Routt County and eight were in Moffat County.

There is a free Suicide Prevention Training called “Talk Saves Lives,” next Thursday, Jan. 9. There are two sessions at noon and 5 p.m. at the Strings Music tent in Steamboat Springs. REPS is hosting it with UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center and Strings. It’s free and everyone is welcome.

 

Press Release from REPS (Reaching Everyone Preventing Suicide); Jan. 2, 2025.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

REPS, UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center, and Strings Music Festival partner for suicide prevention, education program

 

REPS, a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to preserve, protect and promote life by fostering suicide prevention and providing a lifeline of support and healing in Routt and Moffat Counties, has partnered with The Strings Music Festival (Strings) and UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center for an suicide prevention and education event entitled Talk Saves Lives on Jan. 9 at the Strings Music Pavilion. 

 

Two different presentations will be held from 12 – 1:30 p.m. and from 5 – 6:30 p.m at the Strings Music Pavilion located at 900 Strings Rd.

 

REPS Executive Director Mindy Marriott stated that the trio’s partnership will “provide a collaboration designed to provide education and additional awareness to the community.”

 

Marriott and REPS Director of Programs Anna Allsberry will host the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention program, which was created by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). 

 

The presentation reviews the scope of suicide as well as its impact, causes, risk factors and effect on different communities and demographic groups. Prevention measures to reduce suicide risk and promote positive self-care will be topics along with guidance on how to recognize warning signs, start a conversation with someone at risk and how to offer support and resources for yourself or others.

 

“The mental health of every single person matters, which is why it is so important that community discussions like this occur. The more we come together as a community to provide education and resources, and encourage one another to talk about the topic of suicide, the healthier our community will be,” said Soniya Fidler, who is the President of the UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center. “When we talk about suicide, we lessen the stigma around it.”

 

“Like many in Steamboat Springs, the employees of Strings Music Festival have been greatly affected by the sudden loss of beloved individuals within our community due to suicide,” said Strings Operations Director Gardner Flanigan. “With two sessions held at the Strings pavilion we have a unique opportunity to help a significant number of community members understand how to raise the conversation to an appropriate level that we might help avoid future heartache.”

 

For more information, contact Anna Allsberry at aallsberry@yampavalleyreps.org or by calling (970) 846-8182.