Mental Health Colorado names Vincent Atchity President and CEO
MEDIA CONTACT: Aubree Hughes, 405-615-3845
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 25, 2019
Mental Health Colorado names Vincent Atchity President and CEO
DENVER—Mental Health Colorado announced today that Vincent Atchity has been named the nonprofit, nonpartisan organization’s president and CEO. Atchity will provide strategic leadership to help Mental Health Colorado achieve its mission of promoting mental wellness, ending stigma, and ensuring equitable access to mental health and substance use services.
Atchity served as the Executive Director of The Equitas Project, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to disentangle mental health and criminal justice by activating leaders, influencing policy, and spurring innovation. He was responsible for guiding start-up of the organization, leading public relations, and project expansion.
As an accomplished, collaborative leader in public health, Atchity’s multi-industry expertise will leverage a statewide network of partners in advocacy, health care, government, education, public safety, and the justice system to drive systemic transformation to Colorado’s mental health landscape.
“Every Coloradan has a role to play in supporting improved mental health,” said Atchity. “There can be no passive waiting for someone somewhere else to do something. I look forward to joining Mental Health Colorado in continuing to advance collaborative, cross-sector efforts to improve mental health and access to quality care.”
Last year, Mental Health Colorado achieved the most significant accomplishments in its 65-year history. Among eight of the bills they championed, the policy team led the fight for mental health parity—holding insurers accountable to the law that says mental health must be covered equal to physical health. In tandem with its partners, Mental Health Colorado’s 2019 policy efforts secured $20 million for mental health and substance use services and supports.
“We are very pleased to have Vincent Atchity join the Mental Health Colorado team,” said Mental Health Colorado Director of Advocacy Moe Keller. “Vincent brings so much knowledge and passion around mental health, and we are looking forward to his leadership. From my previous years working with Vincent, I know his collaborative and inclusive style will serve us well.”
Shortly after the end of 2018, former President and CEO Andrew Romanoff stepped down after four years at the helm. Under Romanoff’s leadership, Mental Health Colorado helped four counties secure $67 million annually for the prevention and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. Among other policy wins, Mental Health Colorado championed legislation that created an office to help Coloradans navigate the insurance system—a model already being used in other states.
In the interim Nancy VanDeMark led the organization, whose leadership spans 30-plus years of experience in the substance use field. The dedicated staff are working on an ambitious agenda for the 2020 legislative session.
Mental Health Colorado will continue to prioritize the needs of young Coloradans. The organization created the School Mental Health Toolkit to bring mental health resources and training to all 178 school districts in Colorado. In addition, the newly released Early Childhood Mental Health Toolkit will help support social and emotional development during the critical period from birth to age 5.
About Mental Health Colorado:
As the state’s leading advocacy organization for mental health and substance use, Mental Health Colorado works to promote mental health, end stigma, and ensure equitable access to treatment and services. Mental Health Colorado is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization and an affiliate of Mental Health America.
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