SPUR is a research engagement project facilitated by PEACHnet, a practice-based research network based in western Colorado, and funded by PCORI (Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute). The purpose is to develop a plan for community and practice-based research around suicide prevention, intervention and postvention that will inform and strengthen efforts to reduce suicide incidence in western Colorado. Attendees from any Western Slope-based organizations that work in suicide prevention/intervention are invited to participate in the convening meetings in March and November 2021!
Background
Drs. Nederveld and Broaddus conducted community engagement activities in 12 different communities across western Colorado with the goal of forming a practice-based research network (PBRN) called Partners Engaged in Achieving Change in Health network (PEACHnet). This process involved exploring which topics were of interest to stakeholders across western Colorado. The final step of the topic-generating process was a survey of possible research ideas – participants voted for their top five choices. The research topic that received the most votes regionally was access to mental and behavioral health care and the high suicide incidence. Further discussions revealed that community partners felt there was a need to evaluate their suicide intervention and prevention activities and to connect with other stakeholders doing work in this space across the region. Many organizations noted a lack of capacity for research and evaluation that prevented them from rigorously assessing the effectiveness of their activities. The purpose of the SPUR project is to address these needs.