1041 results for author: Mental Health Colorado

Mental Health Colorado: “Extreme risk” legislation would save lives  

DENVER, Feb. 14—Mental Health Colorado, the state’s leading advocate for the prevention and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders, today endorsed legislation that would allow for the temporary removal of firearms  from a person who poses a significant risk to themselves or others. Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) laws have been shown to reduce suicide deaths in states that have them and this measure would be a vital addition to Colorado’s suicide prevention agenda. Sponsored by Reps. Tom Sullivan and Alec Garnett, the bill creates a mechanism by which a family member or law enforcement officer may petition a court ...

Tying the world’s most liked Instagram post to mental health awareness

February 10, 2019 The "World Record Egg" wasn't just meant to "break the internet" but is also intended as a mental health resource. We hear how from a spokesperson for Mental Health Colorado. Originally appeared on 9News.

Romanoff Steps Down as Mental Health Colorado President and CEO

Romanoff Steps Down as Mental Health Colorado President and CEO DENVER, Feb. 7—Mental Health Colorado, the state’s leading advocate for the prevention and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders, today announced the departure of President and CEO Andrew Romanoff. “We are grateful to Andrew for his visionary leadership over the past four years,” said Aaron Hyatt, chair of the Mental Health Colorado Board of Directors. “During his tenure, we evolved from a program-based organization to a true champion for the 1 million Coloradans who experience a mental health or substance use disorder each year.” Mental Health ...

Support groups reach out to youths after two suicides

By: Erika Alvero Journal Staff Writer and Mary Shinn Reporter and The Journal Jan. 24, 2019 The recent suicides of two middle school students over the weekend have spurred conversation in Montezuma-Cortez schools and in the larger community about suicide prevention and youth mental health. The teenagers who died, 15-year-old Jeit Redrock Height and 14-year-old Andrew William Cuch Jr., were members of the Towaoc community and enrolled at Cortez Middle School. “This week has been really tough,” said Carrie Schneider, the seventh-grade counselor at CMS and the district’s crisis counselor. “It’s just hard to hear that we have ...

House to vote on bill to let mental health patients specify treatment preference

By: Lance Hernandez January 27, 2019 DENVER -- State lawmakers will vote Monday on a proposal that would allow mental health patients to specify the treatment they prefer and to designate someone else to make decisions on their behalf. House Bill 19-1044 won unanimous approval Wednesday in the House Public Health Care & Human Services Committee, and is now up for a third reading on the House floor. Evan Silverman supports the measure. The 43-year-old Denver man testified in favor of the bill. He said he first saw a psychiatrist when he was in 5th grade and by the time he got to high school, he was experiencing minor depression. ...

Total hell

January 24, 2019 “It was total hell. Every second felt like an eternity.” That’s how Evan Silverman described the depths of his depression. He testified yesterday in support of a bill we’re championing at the State Capitol. Evan ended up at University Hospital; a psychiatrist there saved his life. But the next time a crisis hit, his doctor was out of the country. An ambulance took Evan to a different hospital, where he didn’t get the care he needed. He spent 13 days in isolation instead. What would have made a difference? A psychiatric advance directive, allowing individuals like Evan to specify the treatment they prefer...

Her brother was shot by an officer, now she’s sharing his struggle with mental illness

By: Jennifer Meckles January 16, 2019 DENVER — Brittany Baker's brother, Derek Baker, was shot by a police officer this week in the parking of a Frisco grocery store. She said her 33-year-old brother has battled mental illness for years. Police said Derek Baker was acting erratically at the Whole Foods store around 7:30 p.m. Monday night. When they responded, Derek Baker allegedly threatened officers with his car. One officer fired at Derek Baker and struck him in the arm, police said. Derek Baker survived and the officer was uninjured. Brittany Baker said she first learned about the incident from watching the news that night. ...

Legislative updates

Last week: Friday, May 3 was "Sine Day"! This is Latin for ‘without a day’. Adjournment Sine Die means to adjourn without assigning a day for a further meeting or hearing. Colorado’s constitution states that the legislature can only meet during regular session for a maximum of 120 days. May 3rd marked the 120th day of the regular session. And this Sine Day, we celebrated all of Mental Health Colorado’s agenda bills passing! Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen, especially our Brain Wave members who testified this session. Your advocacy made all the difference! These are the bills which will be heading to Governor ...

100 LAWMAKERS. 120 DAYS. 5 MILLION LIVES.

January 4, 2019 I hope you’re enjoying the new year, at least so far! This morning marked the first day of Colorado’s legislative session—a new chance to save lives. We’re bringing a broad range of proposals to the State Capitol, including plans to reduce the rate of suicide. Among other requests, we’re asking the General Assembly and the governor to: 1) Fund the Zero Suicide framework. 2) Strengthen mental health parity laws. 3) Create a statewide tracking system for psychiatric beds and substance use treatment facilities. 4) Adopt a red flag law. 5) Increase the number of school mental health professionals. 6) ...

What’s next for mental health ballot measures?

By Kara Rowland Jan. 10, 2019 Fresh off key wins for mental health at the ballot box in November, Colorado voters are likely wondering: Now what? This year, Denver, Larimer, San Miguel and Summit counties will begin collecting as much as $67 million in new revenue to help prevent and treat mental health and substance use disorders. School districts in Adams, Arapahoe, Douglas and Jefferson counties will steer millions toward school-based mental health programs while Boulder County is dedicating additional resources to meet the mental health needs of inmates. Pitkin County plans to boost its community mental health fund. At Mental Health ...