Blog
WHAT’S YOUR STORY?
October 31, 2018
Their struggles were painful and familiar: a son who refused treatment, a mother who couldn’t find any, families severed by suicide or homelessness or jail.
At a Rotary Club in Fort Collins yesterday, just about everyone had a story to tell. We want to hear yours.
If you or someone you love has faced a mental health or substance use disorder, please let us know. We created an online story bank to capture the complexity of mental illness, the benefits of treatment, and the barriers that stop so many Coloradans from getting care.
Breaking ...
AUSTIN’S MESSAGE
October 24, 2018
“I knew I was going to die.”
It’s been 19 years since Austin Eubanks crouched under a table in the library at Columbine High School. In the shooting spree that followed, Austin was struck twice; his best friend was killed almost instantly.
At a breakfast in Loveland this morning, Austin described the trauma of that day and his subsequent battle with addiction. His message: recovery is possible.
Here in Larimer and in 10 other counties across the state, voters have a chance to advance that cause. Nearly a dozen local ballot measures would ...
A REASON TO BREATHE
“I lost a reason to breathe… my heart, my sunshine, my son.”
Leia Pierce’s son Jamel died by suicide in August. He was 9 years old.
At a church in Cherry Hills Village last night, 18 parents like Leia gathered in a quiet room at the end of a dark hallway. Their children had all died by suicide, and their grief was overwhelming.
A flicker of hope came earlier in the day, in the bright lights of a press conference in Aurora. Attorney General Cynthia Coffman announced a $2.8 million grant to Children’s Hospital Colorado and Mental Health Colorado.
We...
RESULTS ARE IN
October 9, 2018
If you’re like me, your inbox is flooded with political appeals. The good news: This isn’t one of them.
At Mental Health Colorado, we can’t endorse candidates. But we can ask them where they stand—and that’s exactly what we did.
We posed eight questions to the candidates running for the state legislature and for governor. Check out their answers atmentalhealthcolorado.org/election2018.
More than 100 out of 179 candidates responded. Most supported our priorities, including increasing the availability of mental health services in ...
EQUAL COVERAGE FOR ALL
October 1, 2018
Are you better off now than you were 10 years ago?
When it comes to mental health care, the answer ought to be yes. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act—requiring equal coverage for mental and physical care—was signed into law in 2008.
A decade later, we still have a long way to go.
Join us at the State Capitol on Wednesday, Oct. 3 at 12:30 p.m. to celebrate the 10th anniversary of mental health parity and preview the road ahead. If you can’t make it in person, watch our livestream at facebook.com/mentalhealthCO.
To...
PARTY ON
September 25, 2018
Wow!
This year’s Tribute Gala was one of our most successful ever. More than 500 people joined us on Saturday night to celebrate mental health.
We honored Gov. John Hickenlooper; Jim Johnson, chairman and CEO of GE Johnson; and Macy Rae Klein, a high school student who founded a suicide prevention organization. Watch Blake Jones, another student, describe his journey to recovery.
If you missed the event, you can still snag an auction item—a South African safari—or make a contribution. Prefer to party incognito? Check out next ...
WHAT DO YOU FEEL LIKE DOING?
September 17, 2018
Sleep in a castle? Take in a musical? Soak in a spa?
We’re hosting a silent auction in support of our Tribute Gala. You can bid whether you’re attending the dinner or not.
Both the auction and the gala benefit Mental Health Colorado. Your tax-deductible contribution will help us bring mental health professionals to more schools, genuine coverage to more families, and life-saving services to those in need.
Our gala is still a few days away, but you can bid right now. I hope to see you in person—or online—soon!
-Andrew Romanoff
A QUESTION
I have a quick question for you:
Have you or someone you love been affected by a mental health or substance use disorder?
If you said yes, then you know how much our work matters. You understand the value of good mental health care.
With your help, we can bring care within reach of every Coloradan.
Our Tribute Gala is just 10 days away. It’s our most important fundraiser, and we need $65,370 to meet our goal.
Please purchase a ticket, donate an auction item, or make a contribution. Your support is tax-deductible—and more important than ever.
-Andrew ...
DIAGNOSED WITH OPIOID USE DISORDER AND EXPERIENCING CHRONIC PAIN?
August 29, 2018
The Comorbid Opioid Addiction and Pain (COAP) Lab is looking for men and women ages 18-65 to participate in 12 weeks of no-cost group therapy sessions, and an additional 3 sessions for which you will be compensated.
Last year more Coloradans died from drug overdoses than any year in the state’s history. Opioid addiction is a devastating public health crisis and there’s a race to find answers. Many people who are addicted to opioids were introduced to the drug to help manage chronic pain. And now research from a CU professor is showing this ...
ARE YOU IN?
August 23, 2018
"Colorado Ranked #1 in Mental Health"
That’s the headline we want. Will you help us get there?
We’re hosting a gala next month to celebrate our state’s progress in the prevention and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. Join us at www.mentalhealthcolorado.org/tribute2018.
We’re not ready to declare victory—not when half a million Coloradans go without care. That’s why I’m asking you to pitch in by purchasing a ticket, donating an auction item, or making a contribution.
The clock is ticking: We need to raise ...
