idealist.org

SESS was founded in 1987, bringing together laypersons and professionals to address the serious public health issue of suicide. Colorado's suicide rate ranks 7th in the nation and as recently as 1998, Weld County had the highest youth suicide rate in Colorado. SESS works to raise public awareness of suicide and reduce the stigma associated with seeking help. We also train "gatekeepers" -- people who live or work with people at risk for suicide -- to recognize and respond to the warning signs of suicidal depression. We have a close partnership with the two community mental health agencies in Weld County, which provide crisis intervention and treatment. SESS supports friends and family members of suicide victims in the immediate aftermath of the death and in the weeks and months that follow. By doing so, we not only ease the burden of grief, we prevent one suicide from being followed by others.