News Clips
The Longevity Project, Part 3: Mental health impacts of pandemic are multifaceted
September 12, 2021
By: Kari Dequine Harden
Local mental health care providers are seeing a higher patient load than ever. And nationally, research shows an increase in anxiety, depression, burnout, sadness and substance use since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It is impacting our mental health,” said Lilia Luna, behavioral health director for Northwest Colorado Health. And the national trends “align with what we are seeing in Northwest Colorado.”
“It’s been a year unlike any other,” said Justin Ross, a licensed clinical psychologist and ...
EN ESPAÑOL Los estados tienen dinero para gastar en salud mental, pero quizá no dure
September 8, 2021
By: Sophie Quinton
DENVER — Colorado es conocido como la meca de la salud y la vida al aire libre. Sin embargo, un porcentaje de residentes estatales superior al promedio nacional lucha contra las enfermedades mentales, los pensamientos suicidas o el consumo excesivo de drogas o alcohol, según encuestas federales.
Read the full article in the Colorado Tribune
Federal class action lawsuit draws attention to children with mental health issues
September 3, 2021
By: Marianne Goodland
BB is 16. Instead of going to school or hanging out with friends, she's been living in the emergency room of a local hospital since July 1.
You read that right: more than two months, because the state has been unable to find an appropriate residential treatment program for her in Colorado.
Read the full article in The Colorado Springs Gazette
Federal class action lawsuit draws attention to children with mental health issues
September 3, 2021
By: Marianne Goodland
BB is 16. Instead of going to school or hanging out with friends, she's been living in the emergency room of a local hospital since July 1. You read that right: more than two months, because the state has been unable to find an appropriate residential treatment program for her in Colorado.
Read the full article in Colorado Politics
State Spending on Mental Health Rises. But for How Long?
September 7, 2021
By: Sophie Quinton
States have set aside millions of federal dollars for mental health and substance use disorder services, but the money must be spent by the end of 2026. Then, states will have to find other ways to fund the programs.
Read the full article in Governing Magazine
States Have Money to Spend on Mental Health, but It May Not Last
September 2, 2021
By: Sophie Quinton
Article originally found in Stateline
DENVER — Colorado’s known as a mecca for healthy, outdoorsy types. Yet a higher share of state residents than the national average struggle with mental illness, suicidal thoughts or heavy drug or alcohol use, according to federal surveys.
The COVID-19 pandemic—with its accompanying job losses, school closures and bereavements—has made the situation worse.
Now Colorado policymakers are gearing up to spend big on mental health and substance use disorder services, thanks to the ...
Colorado lawmakers hear pleas to reform justice system’s linkage to mental health treatment
September 2, 2021
By: Michael Karlik
Colorado lawmakers on Wednesday heard from in-state and out-of-state experts about the need to disrupt the relationship between mental illness and the criminal justice system, with a message that jail-based services and police contacts are unhelpful interventions for those in severe crisis.
Read the full article in Colorado Politics
More help on the way: How Eagle County is building up behavioral health resources
September 2, 2021
By: Scott Miller
It wasn’t so long ago that Eagle County was in a behavioral health crisis. One of the problems was a lack of resources to help people in crisis. That’s changed, and continues to change.
The change started in 2017. Eagle County voters by a wide margin passed Ballot Measure 1A, which imposed an additional tax on recreational marijuana sales. Vail Health in April 2019 pledged $60 million over 10 years to behavioral health projects, and began a separate $100 million fundraising effort in Dec. 2019. Vail Health also created Eagle ...
COURT CRAWL | High-profile murder convictions get reconsidered, mental health law called into question
August 30, 2021
By: Michael Karlik
Welcome to Court Crawl, Colorado Politics' roundup of news from the third branch of government. The Court of Appeals had a busy week, from considering the fairness of high-profile murder trials to deciding a multimillion-dollar penalty against a for-profit college must be retried. Plus, one judge called into question the constitutionality of a mental health law in Colorado.
Read the full article in Colorado Politics
Colorado is expanding mental health support for teachers, students ahead of uncertain school year
August 20, 2021
By: Nicole Brady
Originally appeared on the Denver 7 Channel
As another uncertain school year gets underway in Colorado, mental health for teachers and students is a top concern. Two bills that passed in the 2021 Legislature will provide more support for both.
The Supporting Our Educator Workforce Act will create new programs to recruit and retain teachers, with financial incentives like student loan forgiveness, and more support for their mental well-being. A second bill, Rapid Mental Health Response for Colorado Youth, will provide a mental ...
