1046 results for author: Mental Health Colorado

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 ...

BIPARTISAN BILL PAVES WAY FOR COLO. RED FLAG GUN LAW

By: Sam Brasch, Colorado Public Radio April 30, 2018 Colorado moved one step closer Monday to adopting so-called red flag gun legislation. The "gun restraining order" law aims to keep firearms out of the hands of people who may be a risk to themselves or others Red flag gun laws entered the spotlight again following the shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School when Florida passed its own version. Representative Alec Garnett, a Denver Democrat, is sponsoring the legislation. The bill not only has bipartisan backing, Garnett said, but also support from county sheriffs, chiefs of police and district attorneys across the ...

COMMUNITY FORUM TACKLES TOPIC OF YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH

By: Alex DeWind April 30, 2018 Two years ago, Kirstie June was admitted to Children’s Hospital Colorado for an eating disorder. The now senior at Chaparral High School in Parker was on the dance team. Revealing uniforms, paired with a pressure to maintain a certain body type, left her comparing herself to her teammates. June lost so much weight that her heart rate became alarmingly low. She stayed in inpatient treatment at the hospital for five weeks. Today, with help from a program at school called Sources of Strength and the support of her loved ones, June is in a different place. “It was the best experience I’ve ever had,” she said ...

COLO. LAWMAKERS UNVEIL ‘RED FLAG’ BILL TO KEEP GUNS OUT OF HANDS OF PEOPLE IN MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS

By: Blair Miller April 30, 2018 DENVER – With less than two weeks left in Colorado’s legislative session, lawmakers will try and pass a “red flag bill” aiming to temporarily keep weapons and ammunition out of the hands of people in the middle of mental health crises. The measure, House Bill 1436, will be named after Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy Zackari Parrish, who was shot and killed while on duty on New Year’s Eve. The man accused of killing him and wounding several other deputies and officers had mental health issues and weapons – which Parrish and his fellow officers knew ahead of their encounter. Unveiling ...

MENTAL HEALTH COLORADO TALKS ABOUT THE NEWLY INTRODUCED ‘RED FLAG’ LAW

May 1, 2018 Originally appeared on 9news.

WATCH NOW: MENTAL HEALTH AND YOUTH COMMUNITY FORUM

April 26, 2018 Watch the full talk here. (Talk starts at 1:30) Check out a Time to Talk community conversation about mental health and youth: Andrew Romanoff, CEO of Mental Health Colorado, talked about the importance of early intervention. Kristen Torres, a CSU sophomore and Douglas County graduate, and Kirstie June, a senior at Chaparral High School, shared their personal mental health struggles and how they've overcome them. Hosted by Colorado Community Media on April 26 at Lone Tree Library in partnership with Douglas County Libraries and the Douglas County Mental Health Initiative. Originally appeared in Highlands Ranch Herald.