Perspective: Countering Colorado’s opioid crisis

February 9, 2025 By: Wendy Buxton-Andrade The opioid crisis remains one of the most pressing issues facing our nation and Colorado. While we are making significant progress in confronting and mitigating the problem, opioid trafficking and addiction continues to impact families and communities in every corner of our state. The problem has its roots in overprescription of medical opioids decades ago. People seeking relief from pain — whether from a medical condition, injury or surgery — would be prescribed opioids to manage that pain, and some would become addicted. Eventually they would seek more potent forms, and over time the problem ...

Colorado Suicide Prevention Advocacy Day Event to Be Held at Colorado State Capitol on March 12

February 20, 2025 By: Tricia Stortz On March 12, advocates, mental health professionals, and community members will gather at the Colorado State Capitol Building, in Denver, for an event held in conjunction with Colorado Suicide Prevention Advocacy Day. Hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Colorado Chapter, Mental Health Colorado, the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Colorado, and NAMI Colorado, the event aims to drive policy discussions and strengthen mental health initiatives statewide.The event provides a platform for advocates and the public to engage directly with state legislators. Participants will share ...

Colorado needs HB 1002 to ensure fair access to mental health care

February 26, 2025 By: Vincent Atchity House Bill 25-1002 is a critical step toward ensuring that mental health care is treated with the same urgency, transparency and fairness as physical health care. By establishing a clear, standardized definition of “medical necessity” in alignment with evidence-based clinical standards, this bill will help ensure that Coloradans receive the care they need and are already paying for. Too many Colorado families are being denied essential mental health care based on arbitrary or opaque insurance standards. A Kaiser Family Foundation analysis found that nearly 20% of all medical necessity denials ...

Mental health tips for election stress

November 6, 2024 By: Vincent Atchity “If you’re feeling anxiety or dread waiting for election results, chances are you are not alone,” said Vincent Atchity, president of Mental Health Colorado. “Take a moment to reach out to a family member, friend or neighbor. No matter what side of the aisle you are on or the outcome of the election, we all must come together to support each other’s mental health.” Don’t isolate yourself. Reach out to members of the community and check in on those who may also be feeling anxious about the election results. Go off the grid at least for a while. If possible, disconnect from smart phones and ...

‘Dance to find joy’: Mental health through movement celebrated this weekend

June 6, 2024 By: John Camponeschi “Mindfield” was recently awarded the “What’s Your Peace” award by Mental Health Colorado. This honor is bestowed on artistic works that improve the lives of individuals throughout the state of Colorado. On Saturday, Boulder Ballet’s Ben Needham-Wood and Sadie Brown will lead adult and youth movement classes at Steamboat Fit (385 Anglers Drive) from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Needham-Wood has worked with the Boulder Ballet since 2022 as their Artistic Director. As a three-time Emmy award choreographer, Needham-Wood is a firm believer in the power of dance and its impact on the mind and body. ...

Free mental health resources in May

May 22, 2024 By: Special to the Herald Times “At Mental Health Colorado, we work to create healthier minds across the lifespan and advocate for every Coloradan who experiences a mental health or substance use condition. The unfortunate reality is that while many Coloradans are living with health needs, they don’t always get connected with the support and resources they need to heal. We are proud to partner with the State of Colorado to raise awareness of mental health in our state and help more Coloradans access the services they need to lead happier, healthier lives,” said Vincent Atchity, President and CEO of Mental Health Colorado. ...

Denver Gymnastics to Host First ‘My Ribbon, My Reason’ Meet

February 7, 2024 By: The University of Denver The University of Denver gymnastics team will host its first "My Ribbon, My Reason" meet on Sunday, February 11, when DU competes against Iowa State and SE Missouri State in Magness Arena. During the competition, gymnasts from all three teams will wear colored hair ribbons that represent causes that each student-athlete has identified as important to them. DU has partnered with campus and local organizations to help raise awareness for the causes that the Denver gymnasts have selected. Some organizations will be in attendance on Sunday while others will supply materials for fans to learn more ...

Two Colorado mental health centers merge, creating largest in the state

November 16, 2023 By: Jennifer Brown Two of Colorado’s community mental health centers will merge in July, creating the largest behavioral health center in the state. WellPower, which provides mental health services and homeless outreach in Denver, is combining with Jefferson Center, the safety-net mental health organization for Jefferson, Clear Creek and Gilpin counties. Together, the two have almost 2,000 employees and serve about 48,000 people per year. The centers have mobile medication-assisted treatment for patients addicted to opioids, walk-in crisis centers and outreach programs that send mental health professionals out with RTD ...

Solitary Confinement Reform Challenges Spotlight Mental Health Care Need

October 18, 2023 By: Vincent Atchity A new law went into effect in July 2022 that limits how Colorado jails and prisons can use solitary confinement for people with certain mental and physical health needs. Some advocates saw the law as a small step forward toward the elimination of solitary confinement, which is associated with numerous health risks including increased suicide risk. Those advocates are right. It would be a small step forward, but only if it were fully implemented. Full implementation, however, is difficult to accomplish in many, perhaps most, counties. For example, Boulder County Jail, where more than half of the individuals ...

9 results for tag: mental