The City of Boulder, in collaboration with The Hope Institute, has announced the launch of a new service aimed at preventing suicide. This vital new service is set to open its doors on October 7, offering both in-person and virtual outpatient treatments for individuals grappling with severe suicidal thoughts. Located at 1790 30th Street, STE 350 in Boulder, the facility will operate from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, providing accessible care to those in need.
Recent data from local nonprofit organizations, healthcare providers, and the city's own Crisis Intervention Response Team signal that residents of Boulder, irrespective of age, continue to struggle with thoughts of suicide. It suggests a diversity of support is essential for individuals to reconstruct a sense of a life worth living. To address this, The Hope Institute will deliver short-term outpatient care spanning 6-12 weeks, which includes individual and group counseling sessions with treatments based on Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and additional services for those most in need.
According to the City of Boulder, The Hope Institute boasts a proven track record in alleviating suicidal ideation, often across six weeks. The services are slated to benefit a wide demographic with a variety of insurance coverages, including uninsured individuals. Dr. Derek J. Lee, executive director of The Hope Institute of America, as obtained by the City of Boulder, said, "We are excited to open in Boulder... My hope is that Boulder can be an anchor that brings more suicide prevention services to the region."
Boulder City has demonstrated its commitment to this project through a significant investment of $400,000 from its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. Mental health is a community imperative and the addition of The Hope Institute aims to augment the network of support systems in place. Human Services Senior Manager Wendy Schwartz underscored the cooperative nature of this endeavor, sharing that the Hope Institute’s services are intended to complement and partner with existing care providers. In coordination with other local service providers, the institute will focus on short-term stabilization and subsequent transition of clients to long-term care options that suit their continued needs.
