E661F3E87EEBB59C8725867E0072F089 Hearing Summary

Lindsey Myers, Branch Director, Prevention Services Division, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), introduced the presentation (Attachment A). She introduced the Office of Suicide Prevention and gave an overview of what the presentation will cover.

Sarah Brummet, Office of Suicide Prevention Director, CDPHE, spoke about the Office of Suicide Prevention and its programs, including legislative responsibilities and different evidence-based strategies employed by the office.

Ms. Brummet spoke about the Suicide Prevention Commission. She discussed the different ways the office works to build a comprehensive prevention model, including evidence-based efforts and common strategies across communities. She pointed members to the presentation outlining the commission's different partnerships.

Ms. Brummet continued with an overview of the populations the office aims to serve. She provided examples of the different state departments that the office partners with to better serve target populations across the state.

Ms. Brummet responded to questions from the committee.

Ms. Brummet answered questions about the suicide rate in the state, how the office is tracking suicide rates across the state, and the partnerships that the office has to provide veterans resources. She spoke about being a part of the Governor's Challenge Group and moving suicide prevention services forward for veterans. She reported that they recently hired a staff member specifically focused on veterans services and suicide prevention.

Representative Holtorf made comments about targeting certain demographic groups with suicide prevention services.

Ms. Brummet answered a question about telehealth versus in-person services in rural and frontier counties. She discussed the different efforts around recruitment and maintenance of service providers.

Representative Michaelson Jenet invited other staff from CDPHE to introduce themselves.