News Clips


Importance of learning to ‘mentally and emotionally pace’ yourself as you social distance

March 28, 2020 By: Jordan Chavez Originally appeared on 9News Many people are feeling overwhelmed by the outbreak and the constant stream of news about the novel coronavirus. DENVER — Mental health care providers say they're seeing a surge in patients due to fear surrounding COVID-19. Many are feeling overwhelmed by the outbreak and the constant stream of news about the novel coronavirus. One factor behind their concerns is that no one, not even medical professionals, have an idea when life will return to normal. 9NEWS expert Psychologist Dr. Max Wachtel ...

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With uptick in ‘anxiety, hopelessness,’ local experts offer advice, resources for mental health

March 23, 2020 By: Grant Stringer Originally appeared in the Sentinel Colorado AURORA | As the pandemic and financial woes create more anxiety in Aurora and across the region, mental health experts say residents can maintain sanity with at-home strategies and resources. Care providers at the Aurora Mental Health Center, which runs clinics and therapy sessions for Aurora residents, are working overtime with patients through video and phone links, said Chief Medical Officer Anne Garrett-Mills. “Stress from of all of the sudden life changes, loss of income and ...

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Social distancing could drag on for months in Colorado. How will we stay sane?

March 23, 2020 By: Kevin Simpson Vincent Atchity found himself in the near-constant company of his family this week as he worked from home in his role as president and CEO of the advocacy group Mental Health Colorado.  At one point, he half-jokes, he had to hide in the basement from his two kids, 7 and 9, to get things done. His wife also works remotely and together they’ve taken on another task, essentially home-schooling the kids during a day that hasn’t stretched to meet the challenge of school closings. Welcome to life in the time of the coronavirus ...

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Mental health and COVID-19: Practice kindness, connect with others, journal

March 22, 2020 By: Jessica Gibbs Originally appeared in the Highlands Ranch Herald With a global pandemic closing schools, businesses, entire communities and threatening people's livelihoods in addition to their health, it can be difficult to stifle the anxiety, stress and fear coming with the crisis. “I think the public is very scared and I think that there's a lot of fear and anxiety because there's so much uncertainty,” said Cynthia Grant, chief clinical officer for AllHealth Network, a behavioral health nonprofit offering services throughout the Denver ...

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We Know You’re Stressed. Here Are Some Tips For Managing Anxiety During An Outbreak

March 19, 2020 By: KUNC's Colorado Edition With all the news about the spread of the novel coronavirus in our state and around the world, it's hard sometimes not to get a little bit anxious. KUNC's Colorado Edition spoke with Vincent Atchity, president and CEO of Mental Health Colorado, about how to maintain mental health during this stressful time. Erin O'Toole: There is a virus spreading around the world. What level of anxiety is considered healthy or normal at a time like this? Vincent Atchity: I think that almost any level of anxiety is considered ...

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Mental health important during COVID-19 outbreak

March 29, 2020 By: Joe Vacarelli Originally appeared in The Sentinel As health and government officials ask the public not to gather in groups larger than 10 people during the COVID-19 outbreak, several organizations dealing with mental health services have made adjustments, canceling group therapies. But mental health services are still widely available throughout the Grand Valley and the state of Colorado. Providers also have advice on how to stay psychologically healthy during a stressful period. Mind Springs Health, which serves multiple counties in ...

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How to navigate your insurance and telemedicine for mental health

March 19, 2020 Originally appeared on 9News By: Anusha Roy Doctors and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment are encouraging people to use telehealth while they work to slow down the novel coronavirus. DENVER — Doctors and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) are encouraging people to use telehealth when they can to avoid a trip into the doctors office or clinic as they work to slow down the spread of COVID-19. People seeking care for their mental health had questions about insurance coverage. ...

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Colorado Edition: The Strength Of The Human Spirit

March 18, 2020 Aired on KUNC On this Colorado Edition: We explore the state's forecasted budget amid the coronavirus outbreak. We also round up this week's education news, learn more about the 2020 census now that it's officially begun, and get anxiety advice from a mental health expert. LISTEN HERE

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COVID-19: Mayor Suthers declares local emergency

March 16, 2020 By: Faith Miller Originally appeared in the Colorado Springs Independent As the number of COVID-19 cases in Colorado continued to climb, Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers declared a local state of emergency March 16. "The declaration does two things; first, it makes the City eligible for federal relief funding as it becomes available; second, it provides authority for Mayoral regulations that can be put in to place rapidly to address the situation as needed," Suthers said in a statement. "This should not be cause for further alarm, but a signal ...

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The best and the worst: The psychology of COVID-19

March 15, 2020 By: Keri Dequine Harden Originally appeared in the Steamboat Pilot STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Disasters — whether natural, manmade or a combination of both — tend to bring out the best and the worst in humanity. A tornado or a hurricane is an event that happens quickly, with a long recovery. They are geographical disasters that most directly and severely effect people in that area. A pandemic presents a very different threat — one that has geographic, economic, physical and psychological impacts. It is an invisible enemy, full of unknowns ...

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