1046 results for author: Mental Health Colorado
What deems a person mentally ill in a gun background check?
March 29, 2021
By: Rob Low
BOULDER, Colo. (KDVR) — Even if the man accused of killing 10 people at a Boulder King Soopers ends up using a mental illness defense, it’s no surprise a background check didn’t flag Ahmad Alissa as mentally ill when he bought his weapon six days before the mass shooting.
Defense attorneys for Alissa told the judge they need time to learn his history of possible mental illness.
Suspect in Boulder King Soopers shooting appears in court; accused of attempting to murder a 2nd BPD officer
Alissa’s brother told the Daily Beast his brother was paranoid and “very anti-social” describing the shooting as ...
Trauma From Boulder Shooting Can Impact Those Who Are Far Removed From Event
March 26, 2021
Originally appeared on CBS4 Denver
BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4)– As what could easily be considered the worst week in Boulder’s history begins to come to a close, many people remain shocked, saddened and hurt. The grief in the city and around Colorado are hard to deal with for many people.
Another mass shooting in Colorado has people reacting in many different ways.
“Yeah, I’ve been thinking a lot about that,” said Vincent Atchity, President and CEO of Mental Health Colorado. “This is not mental health by any stretch of the imagination and we’ll all traumatized this way repeatedly.”
Along the community memorial ...
More Coloradans are seeking mental health help, but there aren’t enough professionals for everyone
March 26, 2021
By: Meghan Lopez
This news story originally appeared on the Denver Channel
DENVER — The past twelve months have been incredibly difficult for Coloradans to cope with.
Along with an unprecedented pandemic that led to lock downs, cuts in services, death, illness, job loss and more, the state has also experienced massive wildfires, calls for social justice reforms, a contentious 2020 election, an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and now a mass shooting.
Any one of these events is enough to cause someone to need counseling from a mental health professional. Collectively, these events have led to an increase in the number of ...
Proposed Law Would Limit the Use of Solitary Confinement in Colorado
March 26, 2021
By: Aubree Hughes, Director of Communications, Mental Health Colorado
Originally appeared in the Pagosa Daily Post
As in most other states across the nation, individuals with serious mental health conditions are entering Colorado’s criminal justice system at alarming rates, as a result of unmet health needs. Some of the most seriously ill of these individuals, many of whom are jailed pre-trial and are still presumed innocent of any crime, are placed in solitary confinement, where their health deteriorates further.
Mental Health Colorado and bill sponsors Representative Judy Amabile and Senator Pete Lee are championing ...
Proposed Law Would Limit the Use of Solitary Confinement in Colorado Jails
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2021
Media Contact:
Aubree Hughes, Director of Communications
405-615-3845
Proposed Law Would Limit the Use of Solitary Confinement in Colorado Jails
Studies Show Psychological Stress from Isolation Compares to Physical Torture
DENVER—As in most other states across the nation, individuals with serious mental health conditions are entering Colorado’s criminal justice system at alarming rates as a result of unmet health needs. Some of the most seriously ill of these individuals, many of whom are jailed pre-trial and are still presumed innocent of any crime, are placed in solitary confinement, where their ...
Colorado Springs-area children, teens suffer mentally from pandemic pressures
March 21, 2021
By: Jakob Rodgers & Debbie Kelley
As Lexi Rowland’s schoolwork piled up and her friends down the block seemed like a plane trip away, a serious funk descended on the Discovery Canyon Campus High School senior.
Loneliness reached in, grabbed on and refused to let go — even as she realized fellow students were complaining of the same malaise.
“My mental health had definitely tanked throughout this pandemic,” said 18-year-old Rowland, who will graduate in May. “School is so overwhelming, and we don’t even get to see our friends anymore. I just feel stuck.”
Read the full article in the ...
OPINION: Mental Health, and a Nation on Edge
March 17, 2021
By Spencer Swalm, with contributions from Moe Keller
Originally appeared in the Pagosa Daily Post
In the best of times, people suffering from a mental health condition often feel like latter day lepers, wandering the world, silently crying, “Unclean! Unclean!”
But these aren’t the best of times. In an age of COVID, widespread civil unrest, and a grim economic outlook, even those among us considered “normal” are stressed. According to a recent University of Chicago report, a majority of Americans age 18 to 34-56%-report that they’ve occasionally felt isolated as the events of the difficult year of 2020 came down ...
Mental health advocates propose change to responding to mental health emergencies and crisis situations
March 17, 2021
By: Kasia Kerridge
Watch the new report on KKTV 11
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - Colorado mental health advocates are proposing a change to responding to mental health emergencies or crisis situations.
Mental Health Colorado introduced the “Secure Transportation Bill” to improve mental health crisis response and reduce the burden on law enforcement.
“When you call 911 for a heart attack or a stroke, the chances are is that you’re going to get EMT response and paramedics and transportation in an appropriate vehicle to a healthcare setting. That is just not always true when it comes to mental health,” said Vincent ...
