1041 results for author: Mental Health Colorado

SURVEY: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS SYSTEM

The Crisis Steering Committee provides recommendations to the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) on how to improve and enhance the State’s behavioral health crisis system. Behavioral health includes both mental health conditions and substance use disorder. By taking this survey, you will help the committee identify system efficiencies that will improve response in all communities. The Committee would like to solicit input from people who are using or have used the mental health and/or substance use system. This survey will be open until Friday, May 25th. This survey is anonymous. Thank you for taking the time to share your experi...

MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH MONTH: EARLY INTERVENTION IS CRITICAL

By: Kim Posey May 1, 2018 DENVER -- May is Mental Health Month, according to a declaration from the governor's office. The proclamation highlights the importance of early intervention and treatment, saying “it starts with kids.” One of the young speakers at the event was 19-year-old Jordan Yates, who is a student at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. She speaks openly about her battle with depression and hopes to encourage other people to get help. When Jordan was 13 years old she started noticing her symptoms. “I was really lethargic. I started distancing myself from my friends and family. I just slept all the ...

GOVERNOR’S OFFICE PROCLAIMS MAY ‘MENTAL HEALTH MONTH’ WITH A FOCUS ON KIDS

May 1, 2018 DENVER – The Governor's office Tuesday proclaimed May 2018 Mental Health Month with a focus on kids. In the West Foyer of the State Capitol building, 14-year-old Brianna Johnson helped read the proclamation, which highlights the importance of early intervention and treatment. Years ago, Johnson was diagnosed with depression, anxiety and PTSD after being repeatedly abandoned and rejected by her father. She said she tried to kill herself more than once and tried to run away three times. As a survivor who is doing much better under the care of a therapist, Northfield High School freshman said kids need to feel like they ...

TEENAGER SHARES STORY OF EARLY INTERVENTION ON MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES

May 1, 2018 Colorado leaders are coming together to help Coloradans who deal with mental health issues as part of Mental Health Month. Originally appeared on CBS Denver.

VAIL POLICE, POLITICIANS SUPPORT LAW THAT WOULD ALLOW TEMPORARY CONFISCATION OF GUNS FROM THOSE WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES

By: David O. Williams May 1, 2018 DENVER — Vail Police Chief Dwight Henninger this week pushed for the passage of a proposed law that would allow police to temporarily confiscate the firearms and ammunition of someone deemed by a judge to represent a risk of harm to the public or themselves. "Right now, if an officer goes out on a (call of a) suicidal party and doesn't have enough to take them into custody for a mental-health evaluation, or even if he does, there's no way to legally seize any firearms that are there," Henninger said. The Deputy Zackari Parrish III Violence Prevention Act, or House Bill 1436, is named for a Douglas County ...

LEADERSHIP

May 2, 2018 What happens to a politician who bucks his party? If you’re the Assistant House Minority Leader, it doesn’t end well. Full disclosure: I’ve known Cole Wist for nearly 25 years, and I’m glad to call him a friend. That's why I was sad and angry to see him denounced as a traitor and threatened with demotion. Cole’s offense? Sponsoring House Bill 18-1436. The bill would allow law enforcement officers to remove guns temporarily from the homes of individuals who pose a significant danger to themselves or others. Reps. Wist (R-Centennial) and Alec Garnett (D-Denver)—backed by a phalanx of sheriffs and police chiefs—un...

NOW

April 30, 2018 Colorado won’t be the first state to enact a “red flag” law, but we can make it the next. Reps. Alec Garnett (D-Denver) and Cole Wist (R-Centennial) just introduced House Bill 18-1436. The bill would allow law enforcement officers to remove guns temporarily from the homes of people who pose a significant danger to themselves or others. Nine other states have authorized extreme risk protection orders, and the results are encouraging. Connecticut prevented one suicide for every 10 guns removed. HB 1436 faces its first hearing in the House Judiciary Committee tomorrow. Please tell the committee members—and your ...

TRAPPED

April 26, 2018 You’re in the midst of a mental health emergency. You’re held for evaluation and treatment. Seventy-two hours pass. Now you’re on your own. For thousands of Coloradans, a crisis doesn’t always lead to care. That’s why we wrote Senate Bill 18-270. The bill, sponsored by Sens. Cheri Jahn (U-Wheat Ridge) and Tim Neville (R-Littleton) and Reps. Brittany Pettersen (D-Lakewood) and Cole Wist (R-Centennial), would help individuals with severe mental health or substance use disorders get treatment, housing and support. Without assistance, many people (like Forrest Wilson) find themselves trapped. SB 270 faces its ...

MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS CONFERENCE MAY 7

April 30, 2018 MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Upper Peninsula Children’s Coalition will host its annual conference with the theme “Mental Health Matters” Monday, May 7, from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at Northern Michigan University’s Don H. Bottum University Center. Presenters include state and national authorities on mental health and well-being of children and families. There will also be a panel discussion with U.P. legislators around policies and advocacy related to children’s mental health and well-being. Dr. Sarah Davidon, Research Director of Mental Health Colorado, will speak on “What is Mental Health? Beyond the Absence of ...

PROPOSED “RED FLAG” LAW INTRODUCED WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND THE BACKING OF LAW ENFORCEMENT

By: John Herrick May 1, 2018 “I am sick and tired of law enforcement officers and citizens getting killed because we can’t intervene earlier,” says Sheriff David Walcher. State lawmakers introduced a proposed “red flag” gun law late Monday afternoon that would allow law enforcement to remove firearms from people suspected of being a threat to themselves or others. It is the first gun safety measure that has a chance of passing both the Democratic-controlled House and the Republican-controlled Senate since lawmakers approved a controversial gun control package in 2013. “Law-abiding guns owners have nothing to fear with this ...