Change the Narrative
Let’s Talk About [it]
By talking about mental and behavioral health and how we’re feeling, we can reduce stigma and make Broomfield a place where everyone feels seen and can get the support that they need. Click below to listen to the stories of Broomfield community members, and share your experiences on the Let's Talk About [it] Padlet
2022 Ambassadors
2021 Ambassadors
Let's Talk Padlet
Share your story and contribute to the Let's Talk Padlet below!
What is Mental Health?
Mental health is state of balance in our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Positive mental health allows us to feel good about life, supporting our ability to participate in daily activities and accomplish our goals. An estimated 1 in 5 Coloradans are coping with mental health conditions and addictions.
"...When someone breaks their leg we don’t expect them to ’just snap out of it’ or think they somehow brought it on themselves. Like physical health conditions, mental health conditions need treatment and the people who confront them need our support."
- Jason Vahling, Public Health Director
Broomfield Public Health and Environment is working with state and regional partners to reduce stigma around mental health issues, increase services for mental health and substance misuse along with increasing community connectedness through its 2020-2024 Behavioral Health Improvement Plan.
Anxiety and depression are the most common causes of poor mental health. In 2021, 27% Broomfield and Boulder residents reporting have 8 or more days of poor mental health in the past 30 days. Broomfield and Boulder youth reported similiar experiences in 2019 with 31% of survey respondents saying that they had felt too sad or depressed to to participate in their normal activities. It's normal to have good and bad days, so it's time to normalize talking about them.
Start with your attitudes around mental health. Have you ever distanced yourself from someone after learning of challenges to their mental health? Changes or struggles with mental health are not something to fear. Like physical health, sometimes support is needed in issues with mental health. Being able to talk about mental health and look for care when it's needed benefits your health and the health of those around you.
Pregnancy-related Depression and Anxiety
One in seven women experience pregnancy-related depression after childbirth, making it the most common complication of pregnancy. Pregnancy-related depression and anxiety can occur during pregnancy or after giving birth, including after a pregnancy loss. Women are most frequently affected but it can also affect fathers, partners and close family members.
- Pregnancy-related depression and anxiety is highly treatable. Learn about resources.
- Get support from family, friends and local support groups.
- Talk to a medical professional for more help.
From 2009 to 2018, Broomfield experienced 106 deaths due to suicide. The majority of these deaths were in adults ages 25-64 (75%) and were males (78%).
Suicide Prevention is Everyone’s Business
No single intervention or prevention program can prevent all suicides. Suicide is most effectively prevented by a comprehensive approach through implementation of programs across all ages and settings. Suicide prevention is everyone’s business.
What are the warning signs of suicide?
If you are concerned about someone, ask yourself the following questions. Have they shown or shared any of the following:
- Talking about wanting to die, be dead, or about suicide, or are they cutting or burning themselves?
- Feeling like things may never get better, seeming like they are in terrible emotional pain (like something is wrong deep inside but they can’t make it go away), or they are struggling to deal with a big loss in their life?
- Or is your gut telling you to be worried because they have withdrawn from everyone and everything, have become more anxious or on edge, seem unusually angry, or just don’t seem normal to you?
How can you respond?
If you notice any of these warning signs in anyone, you can help!
- Ask if they are okay or if they are having thoughts about suicide
- Express your concern about what you are observing in their behavior
- Listen closely and do not judge
- Reflect what they share and let them know they have been heard
- Tell them they are not alone
- Let them know there are resources available that can help
- If you or they are concerned, guide them to additional professional help
Learn More
Related Information
- Colorado Crisis Services
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Office of Suicide Prevention
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Youth and Young Adult Suicide Prevention
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- B Healthy Broomfield Speaker Series - ’Youth Suicide Prevention’
Educational Resources