December 2021 Newsletter

"Snowflakes are one of nature’s most fragile things, but just look what they can do when they stick together.”– Vista M. Kelly.

Please donate to ASP on Colorado Gives Day TODAY, December 7th 2021

ColoradoGives.org is a year-round, online giving tool featuring the missions, programs and finances of almost 3,000 Colorado nonprofits.

This year's $1.6 Million Incentive Fund is made possible by Community First Foundation, FirstBank, and other community members. It increases the donation proportionally and is one of the largest in the country!

Here's an example of how it works: If a nonprofit organization receives 10% of the total money raised on Colorado Gives Day, that same nonprofit receives 10% of the $1.6 Million Incentive Fund.*

ColoradoGives is a safe and trusted way to support nonprofits, and each organization's online profile is screened by Community First Foundation to ensure specific standards of transparency. The shopping cart features allows donors to support nonprofits in one transaction, so it is fast and easy to spread the love.

We greatly appreciate your continued support! Your donations help to provide free services to our local community!

Click here to donate

ASP Staff December Birthdays

Scott Smith, MSW- Executive Director

Scott Smith, MSW, has been serving as the Executive Director of the Alliance for Suicide Prevention of Larimer County since March of 2019. Scott has been working in the field of mental health and suicide prevention since 2012 and has been a life-long advocate for social justice. When Scott isn’t working, he is skiing, gardening or cooking food for family and friends. Scott’s super power is identifying gaps in communities and leveraging resources to fill them.

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day (ISOSLD) Recap

We worked with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to host International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day (ISOSLD) on Saturday, November 20th, 2021. This was a beautiful hybrid (in-person and virtual) event where we had over 50 community members in attendance. During this event, we were able to connect with other survivors in the community, honor our own grief journey, and remember our loved one(s).

If you were unable to attend this event and you would like to add your love one(s) to our remembrance wall you can scan the QR Code below.

It was such an honor to have our Keynote Speaker, DeeAnne Zuhlke share her insights about journeying through grief. There is no "right way" to experience your grief. Remember that it is a journey and it's ok to talk about it.

Thank you to everyone that supported this event! We couldn't have done it without you!

If you are in need of local grief resources, please reach out to our Grief Services Specialist, Kiera Butler at kiera@suicideprevent.org.

ASP Staff Features

First Place Lived Experience Writing Competition

Congratulations to Silen Wellington, our LGBTQ+ Outreach Coordinator! Silen has won the American Association of Suicidology's: Paul G. Quinnett Lived Experience Writing Competition 2021. Click here to read their winning article. Thank you for sharing all that you have experienced. You are truly an inspiration and we are so honored to have you at ASP!

Compacts, Access and Responsible Expansion (CARE) for Mental Health Professionals Act

Our very own Scott Smith, MSW was able to support the Compacts, Access and Responsible Expansion (CARE) for Mental Health Professionals Act that was recently introduced by U.S. Congressman Joe Neguse. “The CARE for Mental Health Act would not only help to meet the growing demand for behavioral health services nationwide, but it would also make more services available to residents in rural parts of the country who have a greater risk of dying by suicide,” said Smith. Read Scott’s and other’s support of the bill here

Upcoming Trainings

Community QPR Training (Virtual): Wednesday, December 15th from 5:30pm-7:00pm

QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) is a 60-90-minute, evidenced based, full certification training that holds the same weight as a CPR certification and offers 1.5 CEUs.

Click here to reserve your spot.

Participants will learn:

the scope of the suicide problem (nationally and locally)
the myths and facts of suicide
the warning signs of suicide or mental distress
how to ask someone if they are suicidal
how to persuade them to get connected to care
where to go for help

Upcoming Groups for Teens

Upcoming Groups for Adults

We will continue meeting EVERY WEEK through the holidays (including 12/26). If you are having a hard time over the holidays, please know that these resources are available. Please note that at this time, Alt2Su will only be held at the Fort Collins location. There will be a new Loveland location starting in 2022. For more information please email info@yarrowcollective.org.

Please RSVP here if you are interested in attending Heartbeat. If you have any questions, please reach out to Kiera Butler at kiera@suicideprevent.org

Copyright © 2021 Alliance for Suicide Prevention of Larimer County, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
525 W Oak St. Ste B10, Fort Collins, CO 80521

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