According to the 2016 Colorado Health Report Card, about 25 percent of middle school and high school students experience poor mental health — a rate that has held steady for the past decade. Among adolescents, 6.6 percent attempted suicide one or more times during the past 12 months. Youth who identify as LGBT are nearly three times as likely to report poor mental health as their heterosexual peers. According to the Second Wind Fund, suicide is currently the leading cause of death for youth in Colorado.

Area Mental Health Resources Handout

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What You Can Do To Help

From Mental Health First Aid.org
Someone may need mental health intervention if their condition affects their:
  • Work or school performance
  • Daily activities
  • Relationships
Talk to the person or say something to a school counselor or medical professional. 
​Learn how to respond using ALGEE:
A - Assess for risk of suicide or harm
L - Listen non-judgmentally
​G - Give reassurance and information
E - Encourage appropriate professional help
E - Encourage appropriate self-help strategies

Video The Awkward Conversation - Let’s Talk About Mental Health (4:06)
Video What is Mental Health First Aid (2:12)
Take a Mental Health First Aid course

Local Mental Health Service Providers

Colorado Crisis Services
1-844-493-8255
Offers crisis phone, text and online chat. Local walk-in crisis centers offer confidential, in-person crisis support, information and referrals. Jefferson Center for Mental Health
303-425-0300
Jefferson Center offers 24-hour emergency mental health and substance abuse services, therapy, suicide prevention, and other programs to support the mental health of children, youth and families. Mental Health Center of Denver
303-504-7900
MHCD provides a comprehensive range of community-based behavioral and psychiatric services to children, youth, families, and adults. Services in English and Spanish include emergency and crisis services, psychological testing, outpatient treatment, evaluation services and referrals, and child and family services including in-home counseling, residential services, and early intervention services in preschools.
NAMI Jeffco (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
800-273-8255
A nonprofit organization providing education, support and advocacy for individuals affected by mental illness and for their families and friends. Offers classes, support groups and wellness programs.
Second Wind Fund
720-962-0706
Matches children and youth at risk for suicide with licensed therapists in their communities. If a financial or social barrier to treatment is present, they pay for up to 12 sessions of therapy from one of their specialized network providers.
The Center Denver
303-733-7743
The Center’s mission is to engage, empower, enrich, and advance the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer community of Colorado. Rainbow Alley is a safe drop-in space supporting LGBTQ youth and their allies ages 11 to 21 with youth-led events and activities, counseling and support groups, health services and life skills.

National Mental Health Resources

American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Child Mind Institute
212-308-3118 Dougy Center for Grieving Children & Families
866-775-5683 Mental Health America
703-684-7722 Mental Health First Aid - National Council for Behavioral Health Mental Health.gov NAMI National Alliance on Mental Illness
703-524-7600 National Association of School Psychologists
866-331-6277 NIMH National Institute of Mental Health
866-615-6464
Services in English and Spanish QPR Question, Persade, Refer
Suicide prevention program implemented at local schools for staff, teachers and counselors
SAMHSA Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
877-726-4727 The Trevor Project
1-866-488-7386
A national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning youth.
TrevorText - Text “START” to 678678. Standard text messaging rates apply. Available 7 days a week, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
TrevorSpace - An online international peer-to-peer community for LGBTQ young people and their friends.
Trevor Support Center - Where LGBTQ youth and allies can find answers to FAQs and explore resources related to sexual orientation, gender identity and more.
TrevorChat - Available online 7 days a week, 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
You can usually expect to wait just a few minutes to speak to a counselor, but if we are very busy the wait can be up to a half hour. If you need to speak to someone sooner, please call the TrevorLifeline at 1-866-488-7386.
What to Do in a Crisis
Call 9-1-1 for Emergency Medical Services 
If the situation is potentially life-threatening, get immediate emergency assistance by calling 911, available 24 hours a day.
OR Call For Help          1-877-542-7233           1-844-493-8255 (many languages
         spoken) ​         Nacional de Prevencion del Suicido
         1-888-628-9454   
         prevencionselsuicidio.org           24-hour help text ‘NAMI’ to 741-741
OR Take the Child for
​Immediate Help
24-Hour Crisis Services
Safe2Tell Colorado 
1-877-542-7233
Anonymously report anything that concerns or threatens you, your friends, your family or your community 
  • Mobile app available
​​        Apple Store  Google Play
Colorado Crisis Services  
1-844-493-8255 Jefferson Center for Mental Health Crisis & Recovery Center 
303-425-0300
24-hour crisis walk-in location at 4643 Wadsworth Blvd., Wheat Ridge, CO  80033

Print Resources

Safe2Tell posters
Colorado Crisis Center materials (Below the Surface youth campaign)
You’re not alone, text for support 
Warning signs of a mental health crisis
What to do in a mental health crisis
​Tips for Talking to Children and Youth After Traumatic Events
​Partnering With Your Child's School: A Guide For Parents
What to do if you suspect someone is thinking about suicide 
Suicide prevention wallet card
Find a Local Mental Health Provider
Mental Health Colorado
Colorado Dept. of Human Services
Colorado Pro Bono Mental Health and Counseling Program
Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 
National Association for Gifted Children Finding a Mental Health Professional
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Suicide Resources

Emergency Hotlines

  • 24-hour Safe2Tell Colorado 
        1-877-542-7233
  • 24-hour Colorado Crisis Services 
​​        1-844-493-8255 (many languages spoken)
  • 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
​        1-800-273-8255
  • 24-hour Trevor Project Crisis Services for LGBT youth 
    1-866-488-7386
  • 24-horas Red Nacional de Prevencion del Suicido
        1-888-628-9454  
​        prevencionselsuicidio.org
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 or Live Online Chat
Trained crisis workers are available to talk 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Your confidential and toll-free call goes to the nearest crisis center in the Lifeline national network. These centers provide crisis counseling and mental health referrals.
SAMHSA Treatment Referral Helpline 1-877-726-4727
Get general information on mental health and locate treatment services in your area. Speak to a live person, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST. Colorado Dept. of Public Health suicide prevention Robbie's Hope Suicide Prevention Denver
Information, resources and support groups for teens, parents and the community on suicide prevention and mental health.
Second Wind Fund Suicide Prevention and Resource Center ​Veterans Affairs Rocky Mountain Region resources
Video How to talk to a child about a suicide attempt (19:00)
Teens2Teens Suicide Prevention PSAs

Jefferson County Association for Gifted Children

1100 Johnson Road #18792
Golden, CO 80402
jeffcogifted.org
Email: info@jeffcogifted.org
Promoting rigorous education for all students


Copyright © 2023 Jefferson County Association for Gifted Children, unless otherwise attributed.  All rights reserved. This website provides information of a general nature and is designed for information and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice. We are a nonprofit, 501c3.