News Clips
Colorado lawmakers to discuss suicide prevention
Feb. 25, 2019
Tuesday is a big day for mental health policy. Lawmakers are expected to discuss the issue. Sheri Cole with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention joined us to discuss the efforts at the state capitol.
Originally appeared on 9news.
Renewing the Fight For and Against Red Flag Legislation, Impact of Suicides
By: Michael Roberts
Feb. 21, 2019
Update: The red-flag legislation described below passed through committee by a 7-4 vote on February 21. It next heads to the House appropriations committee. Continue for our previous coverage.
At 1:30 p.m. today, February 21, in the Old State Library, the Colorado House Judiciary Committee will consider one of the most controversial bills in the 2019 session — so-called red-flag legislation that would create a framework for temporarily taking guns away from those considered a danger to themselves and others.
Since ...
Tying the world’s most liked Instagram post to mental health awareness
February 10, 2019
The "World Record Egg" wasn't just meant to "break the internet" but is also intended as a mental health resource. We hear how from a spokesperson for Mental Health Colorado.
Originally appeared on 9News.
Support groups reach out to youths after two suicides
By: Erika Alvero Journal Staff Writer and Mary Shinn Reporter and The Journal
Jan. 24, 2019
The recent suicides of two middle school students over the weekend have spurred conversation in Montezuma-Cortez schools and in the larger community about suicide prevention and youth mental health.
The teenagers who died, 15-year-old Jeit Redrock Height and 14-year-old Andrew William Cuch Jr., were members of the Towaoc community and enrolled at Cortez Middle School.
“This week has been really tough,” said Carrie Schneider, the seventh-grade counselor at CMS ...
House to vote on bill to let mental health patients specify treatment preference
By: Lance Hernandez
January 27, 2019
DENVER -- State lawmakers will vote Monday on a proposal that would allow mental health patients to specify the treatment they prefer and to designate someone else to make decisions on their behalf.
House Bill 19-1044 won unanimous approval Wednesday in the House Public Health Care & Human Services Committee, and is now up for a third reading on the House floor.
Evan Silverman supports the measure. The 43-year-old Denver man testified in favor of the bill. He said he first saw a psychiatrist when he was in 5th grade ...
Her brother was shot by an officer, now she’s sharing his struggle with mental illness
By: Jennifer Meckles
January 16, 2019
DENVER — Brittany Baker's brother, Derek Baker, was shot by a police officer this week in the parking of a Frisco grocery store. She said her 33-year-old brother has battled mental illness for years.
Police said Derek Baker was acting erratically at the Whole Foods store around 7:30 p.m. Monday night. When they responded, Derek Baker allegedly threatened officers with his car. One officer fired at Derek Baker and struck him in the arm, police said. Derek Baker survived and the officer was uninjured.
Brittany Baker ...
Psychiatrists hard to come by in Colorado Springs
By: Faith Miller
January 2, 2019
Need to make an appointment with a psychiatrist in Colorado Springs? Good luck.
In 2013, the last time the community collected data on the number of psychiatrists per capita, there were only 9.1 practicing for every 100,000 people in the metropolitan area, according to Pikes Peak United Way’s Quality of Life Indicators Report. That was 37 percent below the national average at the time.
According to Mike Ware, CEO of the El Paso County Medical Society, the shortage has probably gotten worse — given the area’s explosive ...
Colorado lawmakers prioritize mental health in 2019 session
January 8, 2019
DENVER —As the 2019 legislative session kicks off, Mental Health Colorado applauded lawmakers for making mental health a priority by introducing key bills to improve prevention and treatment services throughout the state.
One measure addresses the critical shortage of mental health resources in schools by bolstering the existing School Health Professional Grant Program to allow schools to team up with community partners to provide behavioral health services. A provision letting schools take advantage of telehealth technology would be especially ...
Youth Suicide Study Shows Unemployment Is A Risk Factor
By: Ali Budner
January 7, 2019
The Mountain West has some of the highest teen suicide rates in the country. A new report out of the region looks at what conditions contribute to the high rate of youth suicide.
The yearlong study came out of the Colorado Attorney General’s Office.
"Colorado has a teen suicide rate that’s twice as high as the national average,” said Andrew Romanoff, the director of Mental Health Colorado. “Just a staggering heartbreaking statistic.”
The Attorney General’s study focused on the ...
New report details what may be causing youth suicide crisis
COLORADO – A new report from the Colorado Attorney General’s office takes a look at what may be causing the state’s youth suicide crisis.
The report is almost 90-pages long and it specifically lists stress factors like rigorous school day schedules that don’t allow children any time to decompress and cyberbullying from social media.
Key findings:
Risk factors attributing to youth suicide:
Pressure and anxiety about failing.Social media and cyber bullying.Lack of prosocial activities.Lack of connection to a caring adult.Judgement and lack of ...
