News Clips
Californians aren’t getting the mental health care they’re legally guaranteed. Why not?
December 8, 2019
By: Jocelyn Wiener
Originally appeared in CalMatters
State Sen. Jim Beall is angry.
Four times now, he has introduced legislation to better enforce state and federal “parity” laws, which require equal treatment of mental and physical health problems. Four times, that legislation has failed.
As he enters his final year in the Legislature, the San Jose Democrat plans what he calls a “full-frontal assault”.
“I’m going to put even more effort into next year,” Beall said, “because I’m madder than hell about it.”
Califo...
Why state lawmakers passed a new mental health care law to enforce a law that already exists
Originally appeared on 9News
There's one basic reason for this: make sure mental health is treated in the same way as physical health.
Author: Anusha Roy
Published: 8:35 PM MST December 6, 2019
Updated: 8:35 PM MST December 6, 2019
DENVER — Closing gaps, so that people can get the mental health care they need is so complicated, that Colorado state legislators had to pass a law this year to try and enforce another law already on the books.
House Bill 1269, the Mental Health Parity Insurance Medicaid law, focused on making sure ...
More Colorado teens and children visiting ERs for mental health reasons
December 4, 2019
By: Matt Mauro
Originally appeared on Fox31
DENVER - A quarter of all mental health emergency room visits in Colorado are now made by children younger than 18, according to a new study.
According to the study by The Center for Improving Value in Health Care - the visits are mostly for major depressive disorder, along with anxiety and panic disorders.
"(It's) not surprising to me that there is a demand for care," said Vincent Atchity, President and CEO of Mental Health Colorado. "That’s in keeping with the ...
Give and You Shall Receive: 10 Nonprofits to Help Out on Colorado Gives Day
By donating to these Colorado-based organizations—or any of the 3,500-plus participating nonprofits—you’ll not only improve others’ lives, but your own as well.
BY MAYA CHIODO | DECEMBER 4, 2019Humans tend toward altruism. And the impetus behind lending a helping hand or donating some dollars is usually quite simple: It feels good. Luckily for Coloradans, the annual Colorado Gives Day fundraiser, which takes place on Tuesday, December 10, makes it easier than ever to feel what Psychology Today calls the “helper’s high.” Each December, folks from ...
New Mental Health Colorado CEO talks goals
October 25, 2019
By: Faith Miller
Access the full article in The Colorado Springs Business Journal
Statewide nonprofit Mental Health Colorado’s leadership has shuffled around a bit in the past year, but its mission remains the same: “promoting mental health, ending stigma, and ensuring equitable access to mental health and substance use services.” The shake-ups started when former CEO Andrew Romanoff resigned from his role at Mental Health Colorado early this […]
FRCC Longmont students honored for work for Mental Health Colorado
October 29, 2019
By: Katie Langford
Originally appeared in The Boulder Daily Camera
A typography class at Front Range Community College took learning to the next level by designing and producing an annual report for a major Colorado nonprofit.
Mental Heath Colorado doesn’t often produce an annual report because of the steep cost, said spokeswoman Aubree Hughes. But a board member knew Blake Welch, Front Range instructor and Multimedia Graphic Design Program director, and approached him with the idea of a partnership.
Welch said while he had no doubts his ...
A 3-digit number would help people in a mental health crisis get help immediately
By: Anusha Roy
October 28, 2019
Story originally appeared in 9News. Click here to view.
When there's an emergency, helping is three numbers away: 911. But when there's a mental health crisis, it's not so simple.
DENVER — Legislation would make mental health crises and suicide prevention help easier for people to reach by designating 988 as a hotline, similar to the way 911 is used in cases of emergency.
"We must do more to destigmatize access to mental health resources and prevent suicides in our country," said Colorado Republican Senator Cory Gardner, who ...
Talking Teens and Mental Health
October 25, 2019
With teen depression and suicide on the rise in the past few years, parents and administrators and looking for solutions. We talk with Vincent Atchity, CEO of Mental Health Colorado.
Listen on KOA Colorado
Throwback Thursday: ACC Offered a Free Depression Screening
By: Cameron Yarumian
October 24, 2019
This article originally appeared in The Arapahoe Pinnacle
In 1995, during the month of October, Arapahoe Community College offered screening as a part of the National Depression Screening Day (NDSD). National Depression Screening Day began as an effort to reach people across the nation with important mental health education and connect them with support services.
Individuals were asked to complete an anonymously written test for depression and will have the opportunity to discuss the results with a mental health professio...
Youth Suicide Rates Soar Across Mountain West
By: Ali Budner
Listen on KUNR
A new report shows youth suicide rates have spiked alarmingly in recent years, especially in the Mountain West.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked at nearly two decades of youth suicide rates across the country. Researchers found them to be mostly stable in the early 2000s. But then between 2007 to 2017, the national rate increased 56%. In 2017, the report notes, suicide was the second leading cause of death among Americans aged 10 to 24.
“It’s pretty much increasing unabated,” ...
