--- title: "Suicide Prevention | Denver Psychiatry Blog" description: "The week of September 5th through 11th is Suicide Prevention week. Suicide is a growing problem in the United States, making this week with a focus on awareness and prevention more and more important...." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": [ "MedicalBusiness", "MedicalOrganization", "LocalBusiness" ], "@id": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/#organization", "name": "Denver Psychiatry", "alternateName": "Denver Psychiatry - Dr. Steve Sarche", "description": "Denver Psychiatry is a private psychiatric practice founded by Dr. Steve Sarche in 2004, providing comprehensive mental health services for children, adolescents, and adults in the Denver metropolitan area.", "url": "https://denverpsychiatry.com", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/logo.png" }, "image": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/og-image.png", "telephone": "+1-303-393-8808", "faxNumber": "+1-303-399-6069", "email": "drsteve@denverpsychiatry.com", "foundingDate": "2004", "founder": { "@id": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/#physician" }, "priceRange": "$$", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "720 S Colorado Blvd, Suite 910N", "addressLocality": "Denver", "addressRegion": "CO", "postalCode": "80246", "addressCountry": "US" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": 39.7086, "longitude": -104.9567 }, "areaServed": { "@type": "GeoCircle", "geoMidpoint": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": 39.7086, "longitude": -104.9567 }, "geoRadius": "50000" }, "medicalSpecialty": [ "Psychiatry", "Child and Adolescent Psychiatry", "Adult Psychiatry" ], "employee": [ { "@id": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/#physician" } ], "availableService": [ { "@type": "MedicalProcedure", "name": "Psychiatric Evaluation", "description": "Comprehensive initial evaluation for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning" }, { "@type": "MedicalProcedure", "name": "Medication Management", "description": "Expert prescription and monitoring of psychiatric medications" }, { "@type": "MedicalProcedure", "name": "Child & Adolescent Psychiatry", "description": "Age-appropriate psychiatric care for children and adolescents (ages 10+)" }, { "@type": "MedicalProcedure", "name": "Anxiety Treatment", "description": "Treatment for generalized anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety, and PTSD" }, { "@type": "MedicalProcedure", "name": "Depression Treatment", "description": "Comprehensive treatment for major depression and mood disorders" }, { "@type": "MedicalProcedure", "name": "ADHD Treatment", "description": "Diagnosis and treatment of attention deficit disorders in all ages" }, { "@type": "MedicalProcedure", "name": "PTSD & Trauma Treatment", "description": "Compassionate, evidence-based care for post-traumatic stress and trauma-related conditions" } ], "openingHoursSpecification": { "@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification", "dayOfWeek": [ "Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday" ], "opens": "09:00", "closes": "17:00" }, "aggregateRating": { "@type": "AggregateRating", "ratingValue": "5", "reviewCount": "50" }, "sameAs": [] }, { "@type": [ "Physician", "Person" ], "@id": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/#physician", "name": "Dr. Steve Sarche, D.O.", "alternateName": "Steve Sarche", "description": "Dr. Steve Sarche is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry. He founded Denver Psychiatry in 2004 and has over 20 years of experience in comprehensive mental health care.", "image": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/sarche-2019-headshot-1.jpg", "url": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/", "telephone": "+1-303-393-8808", "jobTitle": "Psychiatrist", "honorificSuffix": "D.O.", "medicalSpecialty": [ "Psychiatry", "Child and Adolescent Psychiatry" ], "worksFor": { "@id": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/#organization" }, "affiliation": { "@id": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/#organization" }, "alumniOf": [ { "@type": "EducationalOrganization", "name": "University of Colorado" }, { "@type": "EducationalOrganization", "name": "Western University of Health Sciences" }, { "@type": "EducationalOrganization", "name": "University of Colorado Health Sciences Center" } ], "hasCredential": [ { "@type": "EducationalOccupationalCredential", "credentialCategory": "Board Certification", "name": "Board Certified in General Psychiatry" }, { "@type": "EducationalOccupationalCredential", "credentialCategory": "Fellowship", "name": "Fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry" } ], "memberOf": [ { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Colorado Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Society", "roleName": "Past President" } ], "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "720 S Colorado Blvd, Suite 910N", "addressLocality": "Denver", "addressRegion": "CO", "postalCode": "80246", "addressCountry": "US" } }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/#website", "url": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/", "name": "Denver Psychiatry", "publisher": { "@id": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/#organization" }, "inLanguage": "en-US" }, { "@type": "FAQPage", "@id": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/#faq", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "What happens during the initial psychiatric evaluation at Denver Psychiatry?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The initial evaluation is a comprehensive session where Dr. Sarche reviews your medical history, discusses current concerns, and works to understand your unique situation. For children and adolescents, this includes integrated meetings with parents. By the end of 1-2 visits, you'll have a clear clinical formulation and personalized treatment plan." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does Denver Psychiatry treat both children and adults?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes, Dr. Steve Sarche is board certified in both general psychiatry and child & adolescent psychiatry. Denver Psychiatry provides comprehensive care for patients ages 10 and older, with age-appropriate treatment approaches." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What mental health conditions does Denver Psychiatry treat?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Denver Psychiatry treats a wide range of mental health conditions including anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, PTSD, situational stress, behavioral problems, and relational difficulties. Dr. Sarche takes a comprehensive, holistic approach to diagnosis and treatment." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Does Denver Psychiatry offer non-medication treatments?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Absolutely. While medication can be an important part of treatment, Dr. Sarche also emphasizes non-medication modalities including sleep hygiene strategies, lifestyle modifications, stress reduction techniques, and therapeutic approaches. Treatment is tailored to each individual's needs and preferences." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is the difference between a D.O. and an M.D. psychiatrist?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Osteopathic physicians (D.O.s) receive the same training as M.D.s but with additional focus on the interconnection between the body's systems. This holistic perspective informs Dr. Sarche's approach to mental health, considering how physical and emotional well-being influence each other." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How do I schedule an appointment with Denver Psychiatry?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "You can schedule an appointment by calling Denver Psychiatry at (303) 393-8808. The staff will help you find a convenient time and answer any questions about your first visit." } } ] }, { "@type": "Blog", "@id": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/#blog", "name": "Denver Psychiatry Mental Health Blog", "description": "Expert insights and articles on mental health topics from Dr. Steve Sarche, board-certified psychiatrist in Denver, Colorado.", "url": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/blog", "author": { "@id": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/#physician" }, "publisher": { "@id": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/#organization" } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "headline": "Suicide Prevention", "description": "The week of September 5th through 11th is Suicide Prevention week. Suicide is a growing problem in the United States, making this week with a focus on awareness and prevention more and more important....", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dr. Steve Sarche", "jobTitle": "Board Certified Psychiatrist" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Denver Psychiatry", "url": "https://denverpsychiatry.com" }, "datePublished": "2016-09-08T15:01:38+00:00", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://denverpsychiatry.com/article/suicide-prevention" } } ] --- [ Denver Psychiatry Dr. Steve Sarche, D.O. ](#home) [](tel:303-393-8808) [ Denver Psychiatry Dr. Steve Sarche, D.O. ](#home) [Home](#home) Services ### Conditions We Treat [ ADHD Treatment Child & adult ADHD specialist care ](/adhd)[ Anxiety Treatment Generalized anxiety, panic, social anxiety ](/anxiety-treatment)[ Depression Treatment Major depression, bipolar, mood disorders ](/depression-treatment)[ PTSD & Trauma Treatment Trauma recovery focused on full healing ](/ptsd-trauma-treatment) ### Specialty Care [ Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship-trained, ages 10 and up ](/child-adolescent-psychiatry)[ Performance Optimization Precision psychiatry for high performers ](/performance-optimization)[ Medication Management Expert prescription and monitoring ](#services) #### Talk to Dr. Sarche Call to schedule your initial evaluation [Call Now](tel:303-393-8808) About ### About Us [ Dr. Steve Sarche, D.O. Board-certified psychiatrist ](#about)[ Our Approach Patient-centered, evidence-based care ](#approach)[ Osteopathic Medicine Holistic medical philosophy ](#resources) Resources ### Educational Resources [ General Information Learn about psychiatry and mental health ](#resources)[ Sleep & Wellness Tips for better sleep and health ](#resources)[ Nutrition & Mental Health Diet's impact on mood and cognition ](#resources) ### Patient Info [ Blog Articles Latest insights and updates ](#blog)[ FAQs Common questions answered ](#faq) #### New Patient? Learn what to expect at your first visit [Learn More](#services) Contact ### Get In Touch [ Contact Form Send us a message ](#contact)[ Call Us (303) 393-8808 ](tel:303-393-8808)[ Our Location 720 S Colorado Blvd, Suite 910N ](#contact) [Call Dr. Sarche](tel:303-393-8808) [Back to Blog](/blog) Depression # Suicide Prevention Dr. Steve Sarche Board Certified Psychiatrist • Thursday, September 8, 2016 • 5 min read Share: [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fdrsteve.lovable.app%2Farticle%2Fsuicide-prevention)[](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdrsteve.lovable.app%2Farticle%2Fsuicide-prevention&text=Suicide%20Prevention)[](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fdrsteve.lovable.app%2Farticle%2Fsuicide-prevention&title=Suicide%20Prevention)[]() The week of September 5th through 11th is Suicide Prevention week.  Suicide is a growing problem in the United States, making this week with a focus on awareness and prevention more and more important. The National Center for Health Statistics reports that, between 1999 and 2014, the suicide rate for all Americans under age 75 increased by approximately 24%. Epidemiologic studies report the number of suicides in the United States anywhere from 37,000 to 42,000 per year. Men complete suicide at a clip about 3.5 times more than women. Firearms are the most frequently used method in suicide, implicated in approximately 50% of all suicides.   Suicide outpaces murder as a cause of death in the United States by about 2 to 1. Major Depressive Disorder is implicated as the top risk factor for suicide. There are three crucial areas to focus on in suicide prevention: 1. Understanding risk factors for suicide and protective factors against it. 2. Knowing what warning signs to watch for. 3. Steps to take to help a person at risk. For the first area, you can use your common sense or instinct. I will present a list of common risk factors and you will see that if you think about it, you probably would have come up with many of them. This list is not comprehensive: - Past suicide attempt. - Mental Health disorders, especially severe depression. - Recent exposure to a suicide/family history of suicide. - Substance abuse or addiction. - Impulsive/aggressive tendencies. - History of trauma or abuse. - Chronic illness/pain. - Job or financial loss. - Loss of a relationship. - Easy access to lethal means, especially firearms. - Loneliness/lack of social supports. - Victim of bullying. - Internal conflict about sexual identity. The protective factors are basically the opposite of the risk factors. The warning signs for a person attempting suicide include: - Verbal threats of wanting to die. - Expressing helplessness or hopelessness. - Daring or risk-taking behavior. - Personality changes. - Clear depression (always sad, with loss of any joy or interest). - Giving away possessions, especially important ones. - Lack of interest in future plans. - Isolation. - Viewing ways to commit suicide online. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.   The consequences of suicide often leave the survivors with permanent struggles in trying to recover from the loss and move on. Survivors tend to blame themselves; think they should have stopped it. It is possible they will never recover from the sadness and guilt. Suicidal feelings tend to be intrusive and very powerful.   Those feelings force terminal negativity into a person’s mind and can convince a person that there is no way out and that others would be better off without them.   This translates to thoughts that ending life is the best solution to end the intrusive feelings. So what are the steps to help prevent suicide? First and foremost, in serious and dangerous scenarios, you call 911 and ask for a wellness check if you are not sure a person is safe.   Alternatively, if the person is willing, you can accompany him or her to an Emergency Department for an acute evaluation. It is imperative that firearm access be eliminated in any situation where a person may be suicidal. Additionally, there is the suicide prevention lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK.   It is always open and provides immediate live support. I do have patients who have used this number and received excellent support. I suggest developing a safety plan. A good example of a safety plan can be found at [http://www.sprc.org/sites/default/files/Brown\_StanleySafetyPlanTemplate.pdf](http://www.sprc.org/sites/default/files/Brown_StanleySafetyPlanTemplate.pdf).  It is always good to be as prepared as possible. If it is not an emergency situation, begin in earnest to find a mental health provider. Mental health providers are trained to build a person’s protective factors, focusing on strengths. The focus is also on mitigating or managing the risk factors while listening and demonstrating understanding of the person’s feelings. Empathy can go a long way in easing suffering. Treating the underlying illness is the cornerstone of the treatment.   The good news is there are many kinds of treatments that do work for mental health problems. There are interventions that stop the intrusiveness. Suicidal thoughts or feelings are not the normal default thoughts or feelings of a human nervous system. Therapy, medications, and other modalities will stimulate and restore the default setting of the nervous system to hope and optimism. Finding a provider can be challenging, but you can always start with a primary care provider such as your general practitioner. They often have resources of where to look for psychiatric help. To broaden the search, the Colorado Psychiatric Society (CPS) provides a list of providers that are members, and they are sorted by location.   The CPS number is 303-692-8783. There are also several psychiatric centers to try in each county. Those numbers are easy to find with a google search. Additionally, there is the University Of Colorado Depression Center (303-724-3300). The Outpatient Behavioral Health Services (OBHS) at the University of Colorado can also be searched for by location at https://www.uchealth.org/pages/services/behavioral-health/outpatient-psychiatric-services.aspx.   You can try Denver Health Outpatient Behavioral Health at 303 602 4840. For other resources for therapy, there is the Colorado Psychological Association. The number is 303 692 9303. For sliding scale therapy, try Maria Droste Counseling Center at 303 756 9052. Jewish Family Services also provides affordable mental health services. They can be reached at 303 597 5000. Here is the Suicide Prevention Ribbon: [![ribbon-1-sm](http://wordpress-86808-1297485.cloudwaysapps.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Ribbon-1-sm.jpg)](http://wordpress-86808-1297485.cloudwaysapps.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Ribbon-1-sm.jpg) There are so many prevention ribbon colors for so many things. I ask that you take the two striking colors of this ribbon to heart; they are different; the purple and teal are not most popular colors. They may seem neglected compared to other colors. The different colors should make us feel interested and not isolated. There is hope, there is help and it works. Share: [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fdrsteve.lovable.app%2Farticle%2Fsuicide-prevention)[](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdrsteve.lovable.app%2Farticle%2Fsuicide-prevention&text=Suicide%20Prevention)[](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fdrsteve.lovable.app%2Farticle%2Fsuicide-prevention&title=Suicide%20Prevention)[]() ### Need Help With Your Mental Health? Dr. Steve Sarche provides compassionate psychiatric care for children, adolescents, and adults in the Denver area. [Call to Speak With Dr. Sarche](tel:303-393-8808) ### Get new articles from Dr. Sarche We'll only email you when Dr. Sarche publishes a new article. Unsubscribe anytime. Subscribe ## Related Articles [ Depression ### Back to Nature “And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” John Muir, who has been called “The Father of our National Parks” As we prepare for the conclusion of another summer, it is important to r... Aug 15, 2019 4 min read ](/article/back-to-nature)[ Depression ### Goodbye To A True Genius In 1994, I was tired, frustrated, at times discouraged, but determined to get into medical school. I was in the midst of my second attempt. I was working in two emergency rooms and volunteering at ano... Aug 14, 2014 7 min read ](/article/goodbye-to-a-true-genius)[ Depression ### Asserting a New Platform There are three styles that people generally use to handle interpersonal communication; passive, aggressive, and assertive. The former two are self-explanatory and we need not waste time explaining wh... Oct 29, 2012 4 min read ](/article/asserting-a-new-platform) ### Denver Psychiatry Dr. Steve Sarche, D.O. Providing compassionate, comprehensive psychiatric care to children, adolescents, and adults in the Denver area since 2004. [(303) 393-8808](tel:303-393-8808)[Patient Portal](https://www.valant.io/portal/sarche) #### Quick Links - [Home](#home) - [Services](#services) - [About Dr. Sarche](#about) - [Our Approach](#approach) - [Resources](#resources) - [Blog](#blog) - [Contact Us](#contact) #### Contact - The Galleria 720 S Colorado Blvd, Suite 910N Denver, CO 80246 - [(303) 393-8808](tel:303-393-8808) - Fax: (303) 399-6069 © 2026 Denver Psychiatry. All rights reserved. [Privacy Policy](/privacy-policy)[HIPAA Notice](/hipaa-notice)[Accessibility](/accessibility) [Made with by HEARD Digital Marketing](https://heardmarketing.io)