News Clips
Youth mental health was front and center in Colorado’s legislative session. But the work is only a “down payment.”
June 10, 2021
By: Jennifer Brown
Originally published in the Colorado Sun
Hospital emergency departments are flooded with children who’ve just attempted suicide. Kids in need of residential treatment for severe depression are sent out of state because Colorado’s beds are full. And suicide became the leading cause of death for youth in this state five years ago.
So what are Colorado policymakers doing about it?
Read the full article in the Colorado Sun
LivWell Enlightened Health donates over $57,000 to Mental Health Colorado
June 3, 2021
For the original press release, click here
Denver, Colorado (June 3, 2021) – Today, LivWell Enlightened Health announced a $57,000 donation to Mental Health Colorado thanks to the generosity of their customers during the ‘Round-Up for Mental Health’ campaign. The funds will support the nonprofit’s efforts to ensure that resources for mental health are a priority for the state, especially in the wake of the global pandemic. Mental Health Colorado works to create access to housing, health care, and other services so that Coloradans ...
THE PODIUM | Safeguarding mental health in jail
May 26, 2021
Article originally found in Colorado Politics.
Imagine yourself or your loved one — distressed and bewildered, unwell, psychotic — isolated in a small, hard cell for 22 hours a day or more, for days, weeks or months. Arrested during a crisis, maybe the worst moment of your life, now waiting for a snail-like justice process to determine your guilt or innocence of charges you may not even understand.
Solitary confinement in county jails — not inpatient health care — remains our state’s default recourse for housing and managing people with the ...
Denver-area mental health experts offer advice for business leaders
May 14, 2021
By: Don Ireland
Originally posted on bizjournals.com
Mental health concerns have been a monumental challenge for business leaders during the pandemic.
Read the full article on bizjournals.com
4 bills that will help create healthier minds across the lifespan for Coloradans
May 14, 2021
By: Vincent Atchity, President & CEO, Mental Health Colorado
Originally posted on Biz Journals
Winston Churchill famously observed that “healthy citizens are the greatest asset any country can have.” What we know and must not forget is that there is no health without mental health — mind and body are inextricable from one another.
From before birth and well into old age, the health of our minds is key if we are to thrive. Mental Health Colorado defines seven goals for creating healthier minds across the lifespan.
A strong start for all ...
KOAA Survey: Mental health treatment in Colorado
May 11, 2021
Originally published in KOOA News Colorado
The past year has been incredibly difficult for Coloradans to cope with. Along with an unprecedented pandemic that led to lockdowns, cuts in services, death, illness, job loss and more, the state has also experienced massive wildfires, calls for social justice reforms, a contentious 2020 election, an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and two mass shootings.
Any one of these events is enough to cause someone to need counseling from a mental health professional. Collectively, these events have led to an increase ...
5 Things Colorado: Rx affordability board, Q&A w/Vincent Atchity, Health in the budget
May 12, 2021
By: DJ Wilson
Article originally appeared on the State of Reform
Today is the 89th legislative day in what has been a unique legislative year. Sine die is scheduled for June 12th, but the budget is already passed and on its way to the governor’s desk. So, policy makers are in this odd place where the legislature can still act, but much of the heavy lifting is done. Lots of bills are still alive, but a key opportunity for leverage and horse trading is behind us.
We’re tracking some of that activity in this edition of 5 Things We’re Watching in ...
The debate over solitary confinement in Colorado jails
May 12, 2021
By: Anusha Roy
Report originally found on 9news
Both sides actually agree on some things, including that safety is first. What happens after that is up for debate.
DENVER — Both sides debating a proposed bill that would impact restrictive housing in jails agree on some things, including that safety is first.
But how to go about that is where they differ.
Colorado House Bill 1211 proposes restrictions on when a jail can put someone in restrictive housing. It's focused on people living with serious mental illness, pregnant women ...
Aurora: Seven children in six days have attempted suicide
MAy 11, 2021
By: Deborah Takahara
Full news story can be found on the KDVR website
URORA, Colo. (KDVR) — There is some alarming and heartbreaking news from Aurora: Over the last six days, seven children have attempted suicide.
Kids as young as 8 years old tried to end their lives.
“In Aurora alone in the past six days, we’ve had seven juveniles between ages of 8 to 16 attempt suicide. That’s an alarming number. They might be feeling isolation, alienation, some may be victims of crimes. There’s a lot of helplessness and hopelessness they might be ...
Q&A: Mental Health Colorado CEO Vincent Atchity
May 10, 2021
By: Eli Kirshbaum
Originally published in State of Reform
As the president and CEO of Mental Health Colorado, Vincent Atchity has firsthand experience with Colorado’s unique mental health needs. The state has repeatedly ranked among the lowest in the country for mental illness prevalence and suicide rates. Needless to say, the arrival of COVID-19 added a whole new layer to Colorado’s mental health needs.
Atchity spoke with the State of Reform on Monday about the state of mental health in Colorado. What does the state need to do to address ...
