News Clips
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 ...
COVID In Colorado: Some ‘Kind Of Leery’ Of Being Around Large Groups Of People
March 4, 2021
By: Alan Guinet
Originally reported on CBS4
DENVER (CBS4) – The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said Tuesday more than a third of Coloradans are now fully immunized against COVID19. As the state moves to vaccinate more, people protected from SARS CoV2 are trying to get used to getting back to doing things they stayed away from for over a year.
Shirley Schley, 86, and 90-year-old Wick Downing had her granddaughter over for dinner over the weekend.
“I haven’t seen her in months. Because it took them so long to get ...
LT. GOVERNOR PROCLAIMS MAY AS COLORADO MENTAL HEALTH MONTH
May 4, 2021
By: Jan Wondra
Originally appeared in the Ark Valley Voice
In a virtual proclamation ceremony on Monday, a group of the state’s health and government officials marked the state’s commitment to programs supporting mental health; an awareness program that this year they are calling “Healthier Minds across the lifespan”.
Each year, Mental Health Colorado hosts Mental Health Proclamation Day at the Capitol to declare May as Mental Health Month, with this year’s theme, following a tumultuous year of COVID-19 pandemic, focused on healing ...
May Declared As Mental Health Month In Colorado
By: Danielle Chavira
Reported on by CBS local
DENVER (CBS4) – On Monday, Colorado Lieutenant Gov. Dianne Primavera helped proclaim May as Mental Health Month. She and mental health leaders in the state announced this year’s theme of Mental Health Proclamation Day is “Healing Together.”
The effort recognizes how thousands of Coloradans have been through so much with COVID-19 and the economic downturn this year. Primavera says in order to heal, we must come together.
“Together we can ensure a full recovery of mind body and spirit is within reach for ...
Colorado bill would give children free mental health screenings, therapy sessions
April 21, 2021
By: Mayo Davison
This news report originally appeared on KOAA
SOUTHERN COLORADO — After a difficult school year for children across Colorado, state lawmakers are working to provide free mental health screenings and therapy to help them rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic.
House Bill 21-1258 would require the state to create a temporary youth mental health services program in the office of behavioral health within the department of human services by May 31. The program would allow up to three free mental health sessions for every Coloradan age 18 ...
Colorado committee approves bill to allocate $9 million to youth mental health
April 21, 2021
By: Eli Kirshbaum
Article originally found in the State Of Reform.
The Colorado House Public and Behavioral Health Committee today voted to advance Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet’s bill to allocate $9 million from federal stimulus funds to support the mental health needs of Colorado youth. The “Rapid Mental Health Response for Colorado Youth” bill would create a temporary youth mental health services program within the state’s office of behavioral health to administer the program.
Michaelson Jenet introduced her bill to the committee:
...
Free therapy and mental health screenings for Colorado kids in the works
April 20, 2021
By: Kasia Kerridge
Originally reported on KKTV11 News
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - After such a difficult year, mental health advocates are working to provide free therapy and mental health screenings for Colorado children.
Lawmakers are working to pass a Colorado bill that will allocate $9 million to provide free screenings and three free mental health sessions to kids. Officials say 12-year-olds and older would be able to consent on their own to receiving treatment.
“The challenges of this last year will likely continue to affect kids past ...
COVER STORY | Hard times yield good prospects for Colorado’s mental health care
April 11, 2021
By: Joey Bunch
Originally found in The Colorado Springs Gazette
Colorado's need for mental health care has never been greater, after a year of living under the dark clouds of COVID-19, economic disruption, social unrest, record wildfires and another mass shooting.
Government money has never been easier to come by. Peanut butter, meet jelly.
The problem for the General Assembly, with billions to divvy up, is priorities and followthrough, more than politics or money, according to advocates and lawmakers engaged in figuring it out.
Read the ...
Coloradans Are Bracing for a Mental Health Crisis After COVID-19
April 2021
By: Jenny MCCoy
Article originally found in 5280
Brittany Kochar, 31, weathered the first six to eight months of the pandemic fairly well. But as time dragged on, the Littleton resident, who in 2019 was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder after her sister was murdered, began to feel the isolation eroding her mental health. Toward the end of 2020, Kochar’s anxiety, frustration, and PTSD increased—and they’ve only intensified in the new year. “Recently, I felt a lot like this isn’t really living, this is just surviving,” Kochar says. ...
Rep. Amabile: Solitary confinement is tantamount to torture. Our bill would restrict it in Colorado’s jails.
By: Rep. Judy Amabile, April 4, 2021
Originally found in the Colorado Sun
This past year has been one of loneliness and isolation for many. We have been denied the company of family and friends. The things that bring us joy and help us mark the time have been taken away. Social distancing and quarantine have taken a toll on our collective mental health.
However, as we’re isolated with Netflix and take-out, we should reflect on what it’s like to be isolated between four cement walls, with nothing but a mat on a concrete slab and a toilet. Nothing to look at but ...
