EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KKTV) – The Suicide Prevention Collaborative of El Paso County is working to identify how the community feels about the current mental health resources available in the county.
The group is with ChangeLine, and advocates are asking people to take a survey, sharing their experience with mental health and the help they received in the county.
Talking about suicide can be hard, but ChangeLine Transformation Manager, Nicole Johnston, said it is necessary.
“If we’re not open about it, there’s a lot of shame and stigma when there shouldn’t be,” said Johnston.
Johnston said El Paso County saw around an 18% decrease in deaths by suicide in 2024.
“But we want to make sure that continues, and we should never just rest and say we accomplished this,” said Johnston.
That’s why the collaboration is surveying the community about their mental health crisis experience.
“We want to dig in and get some information to inform our strategies for next steps,” said Johnston.
The survey is anonymous, and Johnston said the organization wants to hear from a diverse group of people.
“Are there different experiences based on background? We don’t know, but this data will help us,” Johnston continued. “Whether it’s social isolation, whether it’s economic issues, we really want to get more information so we can better serve people who are having a mental health crisis.”
Johnston said more data could bring more funding for resources.
“As dollars get tight and more competitive for funding opportunities, it really is about getting data and then measurable outcomes,” said Johnston.
The transformation manager said suicide prevention awareness is increasing in El Paso County, which presents the perfect time for action.
“We are just really asking people to go invest eight minutes of their time on this survey,” Johnston continued. “We’re just hoping for a really good turnout.”
The survey is available in English or Spanish for people 18 or older.
Parents and guardians can take the survey for their child.
The survey is available until May 22nd.
If you are experiencing mental health challenges you can call 988.
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