Colorado crisis line receiving record-breaking number of calls during pandemic

If you have an immediate mental health crisis, please call Colorado Crisis Services at 1-844-493-8255 or text TALK to 38255. Or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. You can also chat with the Lifeline.

During the pandemic, mental health has been a top concern, especially among young people.

According to the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS), the state’s crisis line has received a record-breaking number of calls.

In October, the line received at least 24,800 calls and texts. From March to October, the monthly volume for the crisis line increased over 33 percent.

“With the ongoing pandemic, economic downturn, natural disasters and social unrest, it’s been a very challenging year for people across our state,” said Robert Werthwein, director of the CDHS, in a news release. “You don’t have to be diagnosed with a substance use or mental health condition to be struggling right now. We encourage all Coloradans to reach out anytime, for themselves or a friend.”

Anxiety, depression and thoughts of suicide have been the main reasons Coloradans have called the crisis line during the pandemic, according to CDHS.

Suicide is preventable. You can find local and national resources that can help during a crisis and offer support to families at this link.

Rocky Mountain PBS recently published Lifelines: Preventing Youth Suicide. Insight with John Ferrugia traveled Colorado — with one of the nation’s highest rates of suicide — and beyond to gather first-hand stories of prevention, healing, and hope.

We spoke with young people who have struggled with suicide, and learned about their paths to recovery.

We also have tips for parents on how to talk about suicide and mental health from mental health professionals, suicide prevention experts and suicide loss survivors.

Finally, communities hit by sharp increases in youth suicide shared with us the knowledge and tools they have developed to help their communities and others across the globe prevent further loss.

You can explore the full Lifelines project here.