You Are Not Alone: Suicide Prevention Efforts at Gunnison Valley Health

As the demand for mental health support continues to grow, Gunnison Valley Health’s Mobile Crisis Services provide a lifeline for individuals in our community. Offering immediate, barrier-free help, these services are crucial in addressing crises and ensuring access to compassionate care.

“If people want a mobile crisis response you have one in us. No criteria to meet. You want help, we’ll be there,” said Bryan Dillon, a licensed professional counselor who has been with Gunnison Valley Health for three years and supervises the Mobile Crisis team.

Available 24/7, the mobile crisis team respond to substance use and mental health emergencies, including suicidal ideation. This community-based approach ensures that those in crisis receive care in their own environment, reducing the need for hospitalization or out-of-area treatment whenever possible.

“A crisis is self-defined by the individual,” Bryan explained. “There is no definition for what is or isn’t a crisis. Our team responds to a wide range of calls, providing stabilization and individualized care to help people get through their immediate crisis.”

The strength of Gunnison Valley Health’s approach lies in its integration with the community. Activities such as monthly meetings with first responders, law enforcement and health and human services allow the team to continually refine their response and identify opportunities to improve care.

“We may be a small community, but we are resilient,” Bryan said. “There are a lot of people here who want to do good and will come together to make that happen.”

The Mobile Crisis team works closely with local schools, law enforcement and other community organizations to deliver care where it is needed most. Because team members live and work in the Gunnison Valley, they have a deep understanding of the unique challenges our community faced by residents. Their presence is a critical safety net, addressing the vulnerabilities that can accompany rural living.

For individuals struggling with mental health in rural areas, the team’s accessible and individualized approach brings support to anyone in need. After immediate stabilization, the team helps bridge individuals to long-term support by connecting them to community resources. This ensures that people are not only stabilized but also receive the follow-up care necessary to support their journey to sustained well-being.

By providing immediate assistance and linking individuals to local resources Gunnison Valley Health’s Mobile Crisis Services are making a measurable impact on suicide prevention in the Gunnison Valley. In the last fiscal year, Gunnison Valley Health’s Mobile Crisis Services were dispatched to respond to 165 calls. 86% of the people they served were able to stay within the community, not needing to leave the valley for higher levels of care. Even more remarkable is that from the initial call, their follow up rate is 99.16%. Meaning nearly all the people they served received additional follow-up care after the initial crisis had been averted, including 90.10% of patients who were connected to outpatient services, which does create a massive positive impact on the overall health and mental wellness of the Gunnison County.

“You are not alone. The Gunnison Valley Health mobile crisis team wants to help,” Bryan emphasized.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, call 988.