As September marks Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, two Weld County institutions are partnering to raise awareness on suicide prevention.

North Range Behavioral Health's Suicide Education and Support Services (SESS) and the county's suicide prevention coalition, Imagine Zero of Weld County, have planned a month of activities to prevent suicide throughout the community, according to a North Range Behavioral Health news release.

SESS provides education and resources, offering support to those who have lost someone to suicide. Imagine Zero of Weld County collaborates once a month with prevention as the goal.

Challenging and erasing the stigma within the community is one major part of preventing suicide, according to the release. North Range Behavioral Health, Imagine Zero and other community partners ask the public to join them for the upcoming activities in Weld County.

As a way to challenge the stigma, raise awareness and speak up about mental health, Weld County residents can look forward to:

» "It Knows No Face (Weld County) Art Exhibit" by artist and photographer Randy Bacon. Each portrait tells the story of local Weld County suicide survivors, who talk about the impact suicide has had on their lives. The exhibit's message of "hope, healing and prevention around the topic of suicide." "It Knows No Face" can be viewed on:

  • Sept. 1-8 at Carbon Valley Regional Library in Firestone.
  • Sept. 8-15 at Johnstown Community YMCA.
  • Sept. 15-22 the Greeley Family Fun Plex.
  • Sept. 22-30 a the Coffee House 29 in Windsor.

» Hope Heals: Suicide Prevention Month Facebook Live Series at 12:30 p.m. every Monday in September. This series, hosted by SESS members, educates viewers about suicide prevention. Join the conversation on Facebook, @nrbhweld.

  • Sept. 6: Mythbusters: Understanding the myths and facts of suicide
  • Sept. 13: Calm the Chaos: Learning to work through big emotions
  • Sept. 20: Under the Surface: Recognizing signs and symptoms of suicide risk
  • Sept. 27: Share Hope. Save a Life: How can I help prevent suicide?

» Question, Persuade, Refer in-person training is offered 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, at the Caring Legacy Building, North Range Behavioral Health in Greeley. Anyone 18 and older can attend the most-used suicide prevention training in the United States. The training teaches people the warning signs and how to persuade someone to stay alive, as well as giving participants local resources. To register, contact SESS (970)-313-1089 or email NRBH_SESS@NorthRange.org.

» Play for a Cause – Suicide Prevention Awareness Events at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3 for Trivia Night at WeldWerks Brewing in Greeley. Some of the proceeds collected at the event will go toward Imagine Zero.

» Windsor Yoga Family - Imagine Zero Park Yoga at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 25 at Boardwalk Park in Windsor. To register, go to Windsor Yoga Family's class schedule and search for "Imagine Zero."

» Dine for a Cause – Suicide Prevention Donate Nights:

  • Noodles & Company Donate Night from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6. at 4650 CenterPlace Drive in Greeley, where 25% of the proceeds go to support Imagine Zero.
  • Chipotle Mexican Grill Donate Night from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 807 17th St. in Greeley, and 33% of proceeds go to Imagine Zero.
  • MOD Pizza (Johnstown) Donate Night at 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 21 at 4938 Thompson Parkway in Johnstown. To support Imagine Zero, 20% of proceeds go to the organization.
  • Café Mexicali Donate Day, all-day event on Tuesday, Sept. 28 at 629 CenterPlace Drive in Greeley. At the event, 20% of proceeds will go to Imagine Zero of Weld County.

For more information on the events, go to https://bit.ly/3zwlhH8.