1041 results for author: Mental Health Colorado

Mental Health Colorado’s new CEO talks legislative priorities, teen mental health, and how to go beyond how-are-yous at work

By: Faith Miller October 16, 2019 Originally appeared in the Colorado Springs Independent Vincent Atchity, formerly of Equitas Project, is Mental Health Colorado’s new CEO. Statewide nonprofit Mental Health Colorado’s leadership has shuffled around a bit in the past year, but its mission remains the same: “promoting mental health, ending stigma, and ensuring equitable access to mental health and substance use services.” The shake-ups started when former CEO Andrew Romanoff resigned from his role at Mental Health Colorado early this year before entering the U.S. Senate race to challenge Republican Sen. Cory Gardner in 2020. ...

Teen Suicide PSAs released by coalition of Colorado state offices, parents, teens

By: Ellis Arnold October 14, 2019 Originally appeared in the Highlands Ranch Herald. Youths speak out about mental health following stories of south metro suicides. When the impact of a suicide started to take a toll on Jim Janicek's kids, he knew he had to do something. “My kids go to Arapahoe High School,” Janicek told a crowd at the Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Center near downtown Denver. When Arapahoe student Nick Bales died by suicide last fall, it sent Janicek's kids into a spiral, he said. That was just a few days before another Arapahoe student took her life. “My kids literally came home saying, `I'm so scared because I ...

Colorado Edition: Today’s the Day

October 10, 2019 On World Mental Health Day, President & CEO of Mental Health Colorado interviewed with KUNC. Listen to the interview on KUNC.

Talking Mental Health Day

October 10, 2019 Mental Health Colorado President & CEO, Vincent Atchity discusses what Colorado is doing in regards to mental health care. Listen to the interview on KOA.

Thomas: I found meaning

The views and opinions expressed in the following story are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Mental Health Colorado. Caution: This story mentions suicide experiences that may be upsetting to some readers.  The following entry was written by Thomas Truelson, author of For the Heart Cries Blog. February 16, 1995 "Until you know that life is interesting, and find it so, you haven't found you soul."                                            Geoffrey Fisher  -  Archbishop of Canterbury A few hours ago at the Samaritans meeting, I had an epiphany - a life altering experience ...

Thank you!

Oct. 1, 2019 "If my parents didn't have the resources to help me when insurance couldn't, I would have died a long time ago. And that happens every day..." Katie spent 10 years in and out of addiction starting at age 14. She was ashamed of herself on account of her depression. She felt like a burden on her family. This led to self-harm and, ultimately, a suicide attempt. Katie never thought she would be where she is today—in graduate school at one of the top universities in the country. We recognized her at our 37th annual Tribute gala on Saturday night. We also honored Vail Resorts, a company setting an example for workplace wellne...

Katie’s Story

"If my parents didn't have the resources to help me when insurance couldn't, I would have died a long time ago. And that happens every day..." Katie spent 10 years in and out of addiction starting at age 14. She felt shame for her depression, like a burden on her family. This led to self-harm and ultimately a suicide attempt. Katie ran into various barriers to getting treatment and navigating the insurance system. She had constant denials of care, which she had to appeal, for services that legally should have been offered. Mental Health Colorado is leading the fight for mental health parity—ensuring all Coloradans get the mental health and ...

Medicaid expanding to cover inpatient, residential addiction treatment

By: Mary Shinn September 30, 2019 Originally appeared in The Durango Herald 20 La Plata County deaths this year involved drugs or alcohol An expected Medicaid expansion next year will allow more low-income Southwest Colorado residents struggling with drug and alcohol addiction to seek more intensive treatment. Local addiction experts say they hope new access to inpatient and residential addiction treatment can help prevent overdose deaths, which have been rising statewide for decades. The number of Southwest Colorado residents who need intensive care is likely small, but it could give some patients with severe substance problems an ...

Building health resources for students and staff

September 30, 2019 Originally appeared on the Kaiser Permanente website Kaiser Permanente event explores mental health needs and best practices in Colorado schools. Mental health is a rapidly growing topic of conversation in Colorado with more than 1 million people — adults and children — living with depression or anxiety in the state. Encouraging strides are being made to break down stigma and provide more access to mental health resources but more can and must be done — especially for youth in Colorado who rank third-highest in the United States for mental health needs. “Mental health is a national issue and in many ways our schools ...

SPECIAL REPORT: A quarter of Colorado school districts lacking sufficient mental health care in El Paso County

By: Debbie Kelley and Burt Hubbard September 28, 2019 Public school districts statewide and in the Pikes Peak region need to hire thousands of counselors and other mental health professionals to meet national staffing standards, according to a Gazette analysis of data from a 2019 Mental Health Colorado report. Read the full The Gazette article.