News Clips
Spike in suicides in El Paso County jail highlights shortfalls of mental health care for those behind bars
April 3, 2021
By: Olica Prentzel
Article originally found in The Gazette
After a 33-year-old man took his life last week while incarcerated at the El Paso County jail, the number of suicides in the facility since 2019 rose to five, after nearly a decade when none were reported.
Their deaths come as suicides remain as the No. 1 cause of death in jails nationwide and as the El Paso County jail juggled mental health providers after a report found "critical shortfalls" in the jail's former health care contractor. After making the switch to a new contractor, ...
King Soopers workers face panic attacks and anxiety-filled days after mass shooting
March 31, 2021
By: Vicente Arena
Originally appeared on Fox31 Denver
BOULDER, Colo. (KDVR) — The past week and a half has been rough on King Soopers employees after the shooting at the Boulder grocery store on March 22.
Some of them tell us the shooting has left them on edge.
Therapist weighs in on ways to keep us ‘Boulder Strong’
Outside the King Soopers in Boulder, some of the flowers have begun to wilt. Signs are beginning to fade.
But for Logan Smith, memories of the shooting here nine days ago are still fresh and haunting.
“I went to ...
What deems a person mentally ill in a gun background check?
March 29, 2021
By: Rob Low
BOULDER, Colo. (KDVR) — Even if the man accused of killing 10 people at a Boulder King Soopers ends up using a mental illness defense, it’s no surprise a background check didn’t flag Ahmad Alissa as mentally ill when he bought his weapon six days before the mass shooting.
Defense attorneys for Alissa told the judge they need time to learn his history of possible mental illness.
Suspect in Boulder King Soopers shooting appears in court; accused of attempting to murder a 2nd BPD officer
Alissa’s brother told the Daily Beast ...
Trauma From Boulder Shooting Can Impact Those Who Are Far Removed From Event
March 26, 2021
Originally appeared on CBS4 Denver
BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4)– As what could easily be considered the worst week in Boulder’s history begins to come to a close, many people remain shocked, saddened and hurt. The grief in the city and around Colorado are hard to deal with for many people.
Another mass shooting in Colorado has people reacting in many different ways.
“Yeah, I’ve been thinking a lot about that,” said Vincent Atchity, President and CEO of Mental Health Colorado. “This is not mental health by any stretch of the imagination and ...
More Coloradans are seeking mental health help, but there aren’t enough professionals for everyone
March 26, 2021
By: Meghan Lopez
This news story originally appeared on the Denver Channel
DENVER — The past twelve months have been incredibly difficult for Coloradans to cope with.
Along with an unprecedented pandemic that led to lock downs, 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 now a mass shooting.
Any one of these events is enough to cause someone to need counseling from a mental health ...
Proposed Law Would Limit the Use of Solitary Confinement in Colorado
March 26, 2021
By: Aubree Hughes, Director of Communications, Mental Health Colorado
Originally appeared in the Pagosa Daily Post
As in most other states across the nation, individuals with serious mental health conditions are entering Colorado’s criminal justice system at alarming rates, as a result of unmet health needs. Some of the most seriously ill of these individuals, many of whom are jailed pre-trial and are still presumed innocent of any crime, are placed in solitary confinement, where their health deteriorates further.
Mental Health Colorado and ...
Colorado Springs-area children, teens suffer mentally from pandemic pressures
March 21, 2021
By: Jakob Rodgers & Debbie Kelley
As Lexi Rowland’s schoolwork piled up and her friends down the block seemed like a plane trip away, a serious funk descended on the Discovery Canyon Campus High School senior.
Loneliness reached in, grabbed on and refused to let go — even as she realized fellow students were complaining of the same malaise.
“My mental health had definitely tanked throughout this pandemic,” said 18-year-old Rowland, who will graduate in May. “School is so overwhelming, and we don’t even get to see ...
OPINION: Mental Health, and a Nation on Edge
March 17, 2021
By Spencer Swalm, with contributions from Moe Keller
Originally appeared in the Pagosa Daily Post
In the best of times, people suffering from a mental health condition often feel like latter day lepers, wandering the world, silently crying, “Unclean! Unclean!”
But these aren’t the best of times. In an age of COVID, widespread civil unrest, and a grim economic outlook, even those among us considered “normal” are stressed. According to a recent University of Chicago report, a majority of Americans age 18 to 34-56%-report that they’ve ...
Mental health advocates propose change to responding to mental health emergencies and crisis situations
March 17, 2021
By: Kasia Kerridge
Watch the new report on KKTV 11
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - Colorado mental health advocates are proposing a change to responding to mental health emergencies or crisis situations.
Mental Health Colorado introduced the “Secure Transportation Bill” to improve mental health crisis response and reduce the burden on law enforcement.
“When you call 911 for a heart attack or a stroke, the chances are is that you’re going to get EMT response and paramedics and transportation in an appropriate vehicle to a healthcare setting. ...
One year later pandemic has fostered collaboration, innovation
March 12, 2021
By: Jeanne Davant
Originally published in The Colorado Springs Business Journal
Fernando Favela gets a COVID-19 vaccination at a pop-up clinic hosted by El Paso County Public Health. Courtesy El Paso County Public Health
Before late 2019, most Coloradans associated the word “pandemic” with disaster movies and novels.
But on March 5, 2020, the reality of the pandemic hit home as Gov. Jared Polis announced the state’s first confirmed COVID-19 case. One day later, the first case in El Paso County was reported.
The virus has wrought ...
