Blog
And the nominees are…
July 6, 2017
Turn on the news lately, and you might feel like the comedian Richard Lewis. Whenever his mother calls, she always asks, “Is everything all wrong?”
If you can make it past the headlines (and the punchlines), you can find a few bits of good news. That’s what we’re asking you to do, right now: help us identify and celebrate success.
Specifically, we’re asking you to nominate Coloradans who are making a difference in the field of mental health. We’ll honor the winners at our annual Tribute Gala on Oct. 28.
This year, we’re seeking ...
Statement by Paul Gionfriddo, president and CEO of Mental Health America, on the Better Care Reconciliation Act
"The Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA) falls far short of what is needed and will ultimately do significant harm to people with all chronic conditions, including mental illnesses, while increasing the cost of health care to everyone.
"While it leaves in place the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirement that insurers cover pre-existing conditions, it does not require insurance products to include all essential benefits. This means that while people with mental health conditions would be able to obtain insurance, the insurance would not include all the services they ...
This just in
June 22, 2017
What’s six hours old, 142 pages long, and capable of changing one-sixth of the American economy?
If you guessed the “Better Care Reconciliation Act,” you’re right. Senate Republicans just released their plan to repeal and replace Obamacare.
That gives us one week to weigh in on the proposal before the Senate is expected to vote on it. We oppose many of the provisions we’ve seen, including threats to mental health and substance use services -- which insurers might no longer have to cover as essential benefits -- and deep cuts to Medicaid.
...
A critical gap
June 16, 2017
How do we recruit more mental health professionals -- and retain those we have?
Those questions gained new urgency this month. A severe staffing shortage has plunged Colorado’s largest psychiatric hospital into turmoil.
Federal regulators have told the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo that its conditions pose an “immediate and serious threat to the health and safety of patients.” The institute will lose an estimated $12 million in Medicare and Medicaid funding -- roughly 13 percent of its total operating budget -- on June 28 unless it ...
Men’s Health Month: Man Therapy
The statistics say it all: working-age men (25-64 years old) account for the largest number of suicide deaths in the United States. They are four times more likely than women to die from suicide. These men are also the least likely to receive support – they don’t talk about their experiences with friends and family or ask professionals for help, according to the Colorado Office of Suicide Prevention.
During Men’s Health Month in June, Mental Health Colorado wants to focus on changing this mindset. Men must talk about their feelings.
A local advertising firm, ...
Biking the California coast for mental health
A local triathlete starts a journey Wednesday, June 7th cycling about 2-thousand miles to raise awareness for mental health.
25-year old Coloradan Dominique Stasulli is biking the entire Pacific Coast Highway from Seattle to San Diego in about two weeks. She says she’s never seen the Pacific and wanted to do something for a cause that’s important to her while she’s on vacation.
She has PTSD and depression from experiencing emotional and physical abuse when she was a child.
"As I ride these 2,000 miles, please join me vicariously in supporting the mental ...
Don’t Let TrumpCare Unravel Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment Under ACA
By: Debbie Plotnick
As Vice President for Mental Health and Systems Advocacy at Mental Health America, it’s my job to work to change hearts, minds, and especially policy. As I think about where we’ve been regarding access to mental health and substance use disorder (MH/SUD) treatment, I see unprecedented (although maybe not perfect) successes that have happened over the last few years. The Affordable Care Act (ACA), or it’s more commonly known as Obamacare, is (without hyperbole) the best thing to happen to access to mental health and substance use disorder ...
Laugh it up
February 21, 2017
What’s so funny?
Join us on March 11 to find out. Regis University and Empowered Partnerships are sponsoring a comedy show and art auction; the proceeds benefit Mental Health Colorado.
Prefer drama? Sign up for our Legislative Education & Advocacy Day on March 10 or register for our webinar. You’ll get breakfast and lunch, along with the latest news from the Congressional battlefront and the State Capitol.
And for dinner? That’s on the schedule this Sunday, Feb. 26, at the Jefferson Unitarian Church.
Visit our events page for a ...
Hill Day 2017 Webinar
February 2, 2017
Missed out on Hill Day 2017...Don't worry we created a webinar for you!
Priceless
“How much do they charge?”
That’s what a friend asked me when I encouraged him to testify at the state legislature. His question reminded me how much civics matters.
The debates now unfolding in the legislature and in Congress touch every family in Colorado. Whether or not you’ve ever testified (it’s free, by the way), you have a stake in the outcome.
That’s why I’m inviting you to our Legislative Education & Advocacy Day. Join us on Friday, March 10, to learn more about mental health care, criminal justice, and other issues on the state and ...
