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If mental health matters to you, it ought to matter to your elected officials, Aubree. That’s why we’re asking you to text us your questions about the state of mental health in Colorado.
Colorado’s attorney general, speaker of the House, and lieutenant governor are answering your questions at our 25th annual Legislative Education & Advocacy Day. Just text 2019LEAD to 555888 to submit a question for our newly elected leaders.
With only 44 days remaining in the legislative session, we’re wasting no time improving access to mental health and substance ...
Three, two, one…
Three elected officials. Two weeks away. One important question.
Our 25th Annual Legislative Education & Advocacy Day will bring together Attorney General Phil Weiser, Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera, and Speaker of the House KC Becker to share how the next administration will improve the state of mental health in Colorado.
We are one of the physically healthiest states in the nation. We should be leading in mental health too—not letting people with mental illness or substance use disorders languish in jail, suffer in silence, or go bankrupt for care. ...
2019 Suicide Prevention Day at the Capitol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7etnVEOVQFQ&feature=youtu.be
On Tuesday, February 26th, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Colorado Chapter joined together with Mental Health Colorado, Suicide Prevention Coalition of Colorado (SPCC), and National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Colorado to present the 1st Annual Suicide Prevention Day at the Capitol.
State Capitol Days bring together passionate volunteers to advocate for state policy changes that will improve mental health and help prevent suicide.
ZERO SUICIDE
Feb. 25, 2019
Imagine a Colorado where no more families suffer the tragedy of suicide. That’s the goal of Zero Suicide—a statewide approach to suicide prevention in health care settings.
We’re urging lawmakers to support funding to expand Zero Suicide. Health systems that have implemented the framework have seen an 80% reduction in suicide deaths among patients in their care.
Please call members of the Joint Budget Committee and urge them to put an additional $860,000 toward the Zero Suicide framework in the Department of Public Health and Environment’s ...
WHAT’S NEXT?
Feb. 21, 2019
“What’s in store for the one million Coloradans facing a mental health or substance use disorder?”
That’s the question we’re asking Colorado’s newly elected leaders at the 25th Annual Legislative Education and Advocacy Day. We’ve invited Governor Jared Polis, State Senate President Leroy Garcia, and Speaker of the House KC Becker to share their views and answer your questions about mental health and substance use policies.
For thousands of Coloradans, access to mental health care is a matter of life or death. Let’s make sure ...
Total hell
January 24, 2019
“It was total hell. Every second felt like an eternity.”
That’s how Evan Silverman described the depths of his depression. He testified yesterday in support of a bill we’re championing at the State Capitol.
Evan ended up at University Hospital; a psychiatrist there saved his life. But the next time a crisis hit, his doctor was out of the country.
An ambulance took Evan to a different hospital, where he didn’t get the care he needed. He spent 13 days in isolation instead.
What would have made a difference? A psychiatric advance ...
100 LAWMAKERS. 120 DAYS. 5 MILLION LIVES.
January 4, 2019
I hope you’re enjoying the new year, at least so far! This morning marked the first day of Colorado’s legislative session—a new chance to save lives.
We’re bringing a broad range of proposals to the State Capitol, including plans to reduce the rate of suicide. Among other requests, we’re asking the General Assembly and the governor to:
1) Fund the Zero Suicide framework.
2) Strengthen mental health parity laws.
3) Create a statewide tracking system for psychiatric beds and substance use treatment facilities.
4) Adopt a red flag ...
What’s next for mental health ballot measures?
By Kara Rowland
Jan. 10, 2019
Fresh off key wins for mental health at the ballot box in November, Colorado voters are likely wondering: Now what?
This year, Denver, Larimer, San Miguel and Summit counties will begin collecting as much as $67 million in new revenue to help prevent and treat mental health and substance use disorders. School districts in Adams, Arapahoe, Douglas and Jefferson counties will steer millions toward school-based mental health programs while Boulder County is dedicating additional resources to meet the mental health needs of inmates. ...
CAN YOU GIVE US A LIFT?
November 15, 2018
My road trip started in Aurora on Tuesday morning. Thirty-six hours and 400 miles later, I made it home with a flat tire and the names of about 12 dozen new friends.
Mental Health Colorado co-hosted community conversations this week in Breckenridge, Leadville, Cañon City, and Colorado Springs. Each group offered a grim reminder of what can happen when mental illness goes untreated: a son behind bars, a daughter drawn to drugs, a sibling lost to suicide.
What I also saw at every stop were men and women determined to make a difference. Now I’m ...
INVISIBLE WOUNDS
“Not all wounds are visible.”
Leroy Garcia served for six years in the United States Marine Corps. He now serves in the Colorado Senate; he’ll become its president in January.
Like 14,000 other veterans in Pueblo, the “Home of Heroes,” Sen. Garcia knows what can happen when the mental wounds of military service go untreated. The consequences—including elevated rates of suicide, substance use disorders, and homelessness—can be tragic.
That’s why we’re joining Sen. Garcia’s call not only to honor our veterans but also to ensure they receive the ...
