by Pam Boyd of the Vail Daily

It all began with an Eagle mom.

Back in 2016, Agnes Harakal knew mental health services in Eagle County needed to change. Actually, it was more than that.

We are proud of our 2020 accomplishments which are highlighted in our 2020 Annual Report. We invite you to page through this electronic version. Please let us know what you think!

It’s easy peasy for kids to identify when they are happy. What about when they are frustrated? Can they name this common feeling when homework is hard, or their little brother broke their latest Lego masterpiece? The definition of frustration - feeling or expressing distress and annoyance, especially because of inability to change or achieve something (dictionary.com) – is a perfect word for many of our children to use, but we rarely hear it.

It’s easy peasy for kids to identify when they are happy. What about when they are frustrated? Can they name this common feeling when homework is hard, or their little brother broke their latest Lego masterpiece? The definition of frustration - feeling or expressing distress and annoyance, especially because of inability to change or achieve something (dictionary.com) – is a perfect word for many of our children to use, but we rarely hear it.

“Urgent action around suicide prevention is needed at the federal, state, tribal, and local levels to fully implement the goals and objectives of the National Strategy and change the trajectory of suicide in our country.” The National Action Alliance noted in the call to action.

“This new initiative shows the investment our suicide prevention coalition, behavioral health providers, community hospital, public health and law enforcement have for preventing suicide in our community,” Ivie said…Read more

“We can’t measure the deaths that didn’t happen,” said Erin Ivie, executive director of SpeakUp ReachOut, the local suicide prevention group. “We do hear back from people we have helped, but that’s not a hard and fast number that is measurable.”…Read more

Start off the New Year learning how to be fearless in your interactions with friends, family and co-workers who need extra support. Learn the nuances of Question, Persuade, Refer with SpeakUp ReachOut during a virtual training session on Friday, Jan. 8. It may be the most important 90 minutes you spend learning something new all year

Drive-thru event gives those who don’t have Thanksgiving plans some holiday cheer.

Being involved with suicide prevention has saved my life. My name is Kevin Roop, and I am a board member and treasurer for SpeakUp ReachOut. Our organization is committed to preventing suicides in Eagle County through training, awareness, and hope.

The names on the paper butterflies were familiar — Nate, Taylor, Luke, David, Todd, Olivia — members of the local community who died by suicide. On Saturday, family members and friends remembered those losses and gathered in a spirit of community. They also dedicated themselves to the work that will prevent new names from becoming part of the paper butterfly display next year.

If there is one thing SpeakUp ReachOut would like you to know during the month of September, it is that you do not have to be a mental health professional to make a difference in someone’s life. September is National Suicide Prevention Month and SURO is offering 13 free trainings and events throughout the month for you to get involved and learn how to provide hope to someone in need.