Montezuma County to expand suicide‑prevention outreach; prevention specialists to start in July

Montezuma County public‑health staff told the Board of Health the department is expanding suicide‑prevention outreach aimed at agricultural producers and the broader community, and is finalizing hires for two prevention specialists for an EPIC program.

Public Health Director Bobby Locke relayed a report from coordinator Niana Phillips about events and partnerships designed to reach farmers and ranchers: a "Pizza for Producers" gathering in Pleasantview (date given imprecisely in the meeting transcript as "either the 22nd or the July 23") organized with Colorado State University Extension, and a plan for a booth at the county fair on July 31 and Aug. 1 that will include a survey and adult prize drawings. "It's basically to talk about agricultural issues, stressors," Locke said, describing the goal as reducing isolation and connecting people to resources.

Dr. Jocelyn Hirschman said community connection helps reduce stigma and encouraged continuation of the county's public‑health improvement plan. Hirschman told the board the county's suicide rate has declined significantly in the past year, and the department is planning the fifth annual suicide‑prevention walk for Sept. 12 (the second Saturday in September). "We've also implemented this year where if you're not comfortable speaking in front of a group of people, one of us will read your message of hope," Hirschman said.

On staffing for prevention work, Locke said the county is nearly finished hiring two EPIC prevention specialists; their start dates are July 13. He said program funding technically begins July 1 and the program's first deliverable is due Sept. 1. The board did not vote on new policy; officials emphasized outreach and program implementation as next steps.