FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: Monday, September 23, 2024
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month:
988 Colorado Mental Health Line and Colorado Rockies partner to bring awareness to mental health resources in our state
DENVER - September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about available mental health resources in our community. The 988 Colorado Mental Health Line is teaming up with the Colorado Rockies to bring awareness to mental health resources in our state. The 988 Colorado Mental Health Line (988) is the easy-to-remember number that allows anyone with emotional, mental health, or substance use concerns to be immediately connected with a trained specialist.
“People contact the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line to talk about lots of things. Everyone’s circumstance is different, but we all need support sometimes,” said Juan Escobedo, 988 Enterprise Board Chair. “We want to make sure everyone knows how to contact 988 and that a human is behind every 988 interaction. Individuals responding to a call, text or chat are specialized in crisis management and are trained to respond to varying situations.”
“Mental health is an extremely important topic in today’s world and we’re happy to be able to build awareness through this partnership with the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line,” said Walker Monfort, Vice President – Corporate Partnerships, Colorado Rockies.
Partnership Activations
- On Wednesday, September 25, a 988 Crisis Hotline Enterprise Board member will participate in a First Pitch Ceremony before the start of the Colorado Rockies vs. St. Louis Cardinals game (game time 6:40 p.m.). The CEO of Solari Crisis & Human Services will be recognized during a Pre-Game ceremony along with Solari’s 988 contact center staff and colleagues enjoying the game in the stands.
- Through the end of the 2024 season, fans will experience messaging in McGregor Square and throughout Coors Field reminding them of the three easy numbers—988—for free, immediate, confidential human support 24/7. Fans listening to the Colorado Rockies broadcasts on the MLB network will also hear 988 promotional spots.
About 988
The 988 Colorado Mental Health Line (988) is the easy-to-remember number that allows anyone with emotional, mental health, or substance use concerns to be immediately connected with a trained specialist. 988 offers free, immediate, confidential human support 24/7. If you or someone you know is struggling, with an emotional, mental health or substance use concern, call or text 988 or visit 988Colorado.com to live chat.
About the 988 Crisis Hotline Enterprise
In preparation for the launch of 988 in Colorado, Senate Bill 21-154 established the 988 Crisis Hotline Enterprise in the Department to:
- Impose a 988 surcharge and a prepaid wireless 988 charge;
- Fund the 988 crisis hotline;
- Work with third parties to provide crisis outreach, stabilization, and acute care;
- Authorize and issue revenue bonds payable from the newly created 988 Crisis Hotline Cash Fund; and
- Adopt, amend, or repeal policies to regulate its affairs.
The enterprise is governed by a board of directors appointed by the Governor.
Learn more on the 988 Colorado website.
Media Resources:
Interviews are available. Contact Stefany Busch at stefany.busch@state.co.us, 303-905-3542.
For visuals and digital graphics, access the 988 Toolkit.
Event images will be available following the game upon request.
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