Suicide remains a leading cause of death among Colorado youth ages 10 to 24, with an alarming statistic showing that eight out of ten youth who die by suicide had seen a healthcare provider within months of their death. Recognizing the urgent need for effective prevention strategies, the Pediatric Mental Health Institute (PMHI) at Children’s Hospital Colorado partnered with ECHO Colorado to create and implement an ECHO that has become a vital asset in its toolbox of services designed to address the State of Emergency for Youth Mental Health declared by Children’s Hospital Colorado in 2021. 

The Pediatric Suicide Prevention: A Practical Care Pathway for Primary Care ECHO debuted in January 2022 aiming to equip primary care providers (PCPs) with the knowledge, skills and tools needed to care for suicidal youth. With 350 participants in the first nine cohorts, cohort ten (begins October 28) will support PCPs in the outpatient setting by offering a practical suicide prevention care pathway based on the Zero Suicide framework. Three sessions cover the implementation of an evidence-based screening tool, assessment, safety planning, lethal means safety and ongoing management of a plan to support youth experiencing suicidal ideation. Through virtual learning, case discussions and peer support, this ECHO builds capacity within primary care settings to ensure that at-risk youth receive timely, appropriate care.  

“Kids dealing with suicidality often present in the primary care providers’ office; but often,  the integration of suicide pathways into routine care can be difficult, resulting in a lack of consistency and effectiveness in screening, assessing risk level and creating plans for outpatient treatment,” said Bruno Anthony, PhD, Director, Colorado Statewide Youth Suicide Project (CSYS); Chief of Psychology, Department of Psychiatry. “Primary care is uniquely positioned to identify at-risk youth and to address pediatric mental health as a high priority.” 

CSYS, which is supported by Medicaid Supplemental Funding, is a collaboration between PMHI and the Department of Psychiatry at CU School of Medicine. 

“This ECHO provides the tools for integrating suicide prevention practices into routine healthcare, reducing barriers to mental health support and saving lives,” said Devin Miller, MPH, Director of Operations, The Care Collaborative. “In collaboration with PMHI, ECHO Colorado is fostering a proactive, coordinated approach to addressing pediatric mental healthcare and promoting a healthier future for Colorado’s young people.” 

ECHO Colorado is a program of The Care Collaborative at the CU Anschutz School of Medicine. The Care Collaborative makes expertise accessible across the state by building connections throughout Colorado’s medical community, linking people with knowledge to drive high-quality, timely care where it’s needed most.  

Pediatric Suicide Prevention:  
A Practical Care Pathway for Primary Care 
Three weekly ECHO sessions held virtually 
Tuesdays 12:00 - 1:00 PM MT 
October 28 - November 11 
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