1046 results for author: Mental Health Colorado

NEWS Mental Health Colorado’s Legislative Scorecard Shows Wide Partisan Gap, Especially in House

July 29, 2021 By: James O'Rourke Article originally found on the Colorado Times Recorder Yesterday, Mental Health Colorado released its 2021 Legislative Report, detailing the bills it pushed for during the Colorado Legislature’s 2021 session. “Each policy priority positively impacts the well-being of our state and will help Colorado achieve healthier minds from one end of life to the other,” the report says. The report contains a legislative scorecard, listing each state legislator’s vote on six key mental health bills passed during this session and assigning each elected official a score based on how many bills they voted ...

OPINION: Mental Health Colorado’s Legislative Report

July 27, 2021 Article originally found on the Pagosa Daily Post This op-ed is adapted from the Mental Health Colorado’s 2021 Legislative Report. In 2020, millions of us were forced into isolation, and anxiety was at an all-time high due to the economic and health impacts of COVID-19. As we move into a post-vaccine world, we are seeing a secondary pandemic of mental health and substance use concern, and we must be prepared to deal with the increased demand for care and support. These needs are reflected in our 2021 policy priorities. Our priorities in this report reflect the need for support across the lifespan. All of Colorado’s ...

Garcia, Garnett Appoint Experts to ARPA Affordable Housing and Behavioral Health Subpanels

July 26, 2021 Originally found of EIN News DENVER, CO – Senate President Leroy Garcia and Speaker Alec Garnett on Friday appointed subject matter experts and representatives of local governments and nonprofits to the subpanels advising the task forces established under HB21-1329 and SB21-137, legislation which set aside $850 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds for housing and behavioral health. The subpanels will work with the task forces to craft and examine policies to make housing more affordable, expand opportunities to build wealth through homeownership, address homelessness and improve access to mental health and substance ...

CO mental health bills increase support

July 14, 2021 By: Jeanne Souldern Article originally found in The Sopris Sun Several bills focusing on the mental wellness of Coloradans, many of which garnered bipartisan support, were passed by lawmakers in the 2021 legislative session and signed into law by Governor Jared Polis. The Behavioral Health Recovery Act (SB21-1371) is a $114 million omnibus bill, with $100 million coming from the federal American Rescue Plan Act COVID-relief dollars and the remaining $14 million from the state’s general fund. The expenditures, under this bill, cover a wide variety of mental health services, including a new county grant program for behavioral ...

Craig: A Tale of Hope

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. Trigger warning: The following story includes details that some might find triggering, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse and suicidal ideation.  By: Craig Roush My name is Craig. And this is my story of hope.  From an early age, through my teen years, and into my time in the military, I struggled with my mental health. Though it does not define me, my story involves nearly dying by suicide twice, finally getting help and, finally,  feeling joy. The first time I recall ...

Caitlin: Learning To Live A New Life

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. By: Caitlin Hackett My mental health journey began at a very young age. When I was about 3, my older sister, Maggie was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called Sanfilippo Syndrome.  A few years later, my brother, Keegan was born and given the same diagnosis. It’s a complicated disorder but essentially, their bodies began shutting down at a very young age, and ultimately, they would never make it to their teenage years.  Maggie died at the age of 10 (I was 9) and my brother died at the age ...

18 rays of hope for Colorado’s children | Vince Bzdek

June 27, 2021 By: Vince Bzdek Originally found in the Colorado Springs Gazette You know those moments when someone performs a random act of kindness out of the blue, and you say, “Now that restores my faith in humanity”? The Legislature, of all the unexpected places, restored my faith in humanity a bit this year. Not on everything it did and didn’t do, mind you, but on addressing the mental health care crisis among our children, they sure gave it a go. Read the rest of the article in The Gazette

Brain Wave Legislative Wrap Up

The long road to achieving better access to behavioral health care

June 10, 2021 By: Anusha Roy Originally found on 9News HB21-1068's goal is to expand beyond a crisis response model for behavioral health, incorporating more wellness and preventative care. DENVER — A Colorado bill, HB21-1068, has a goal of expanding beyond a crisis response model for behavioral health care to incorporating more wellness and preventative care. The bill, now headed to the office of Gov. Jared Polis, aims to change the overall approach to mental health. Democratic Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet is a sponsor of this legislation. In part, she hopes mental check-ups can become routine for Coloradans. W...

Youth mental health was front and center in Colorado’s legislative session. But the work is only a “down payment.”

June 10, 2021 By: Jennifer Brown Originally published in the Colorado Sun Hospital emergency departments are flooded with children who’ve just attempted suicide. Kids in need of residential treatment for severe depression are sent out of state because Colorado’s beds are full. And suicide became the leading cause of death for youth in this state five years ago. So what are Colorado policymakers doing about it? Read the full article in the Colorado Sun