News Clips
FRCC Longmont students honored for work for Mental Health Colorado
October 29, 2019
By: Katie Langford
Originally appeared in The Boulder Daily Camera
A typography class at Front Range Community College took learning to the next level by designing and producing an annual report for a major Colorado nonprofit.
Mental Heath Colorado doesn’t often produce an annual report because of the steep cost, said spokeswoman Aubree Hughes. But a board member knew Blake Welch, Front Range instructor and Multimedia Graphic Design Program director, and approached him with the idea of a partnership.
Welch said while he had no doubts his ...
A 3-digit number would help people in a mental health crisis get help immediately
By: Anusha Roy
October 28, 2019
Story originally appeared in 9News. Click here to view.
When there's an emergency, helping is three numbers away: 911. But when there's a mental health crisis, it's not so simple.
DENVER — Legislation would make mental health crises and suicide prevention help easier for people to reach by designating 988 as a hotline, similar to the way 911 is used in cases of emergency.
"We must do more to destigmatize access to mental health resources and prevent suicides in our country," said Colorado Republican Senator Cory Gardner, who ...
Talking Teens and Mental Health
October 25, 2019
With teen depression and suicide on the rise in the past few years, parents and administrators and looking for solutions. We talk with Vincent Atchity, CEO of Mental Health Colorado.
Listen on KOA Colorado
Throwback Thursday: ACC Offered a Free Depression Screening
By: Cameron Yarumian
October 24, 2019
This article originally appeared in The Arapahoe Pinnacle
In 1995, during the month of October, Arapahoe Community College offered screening as a part of the National Depression Screening Day (NDSD). National Depression Screening Day began as an effort to reach people across the nation with important mental health education and connect them with support services.
Individuals were asked to complete an anonymously written test for depression and will have the opportunity to discuss the results with a mental health professio...
Youth Suicide Rates Soar Across Mountain West
By: Ali Budner
Listen on KUNR
A new report shows youth suicide rates have spiked alarmingly in recent years, especially in the Mountain West.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked at nearly two decades of youth suicide rates across the country. Researchers found them to be mostly stable in the early 2000s. But then between 2007 to 2017, the national rate increased 56%. In 2017, the report notes, suicide was the second leading cause of death among Americans aged 10 to 24.
“It’s pretty much increasing unabated,” ...
Mental Health Colorado’s new CEO talks legislative priorities, teen mental health, and how to go beyond how-are-yous at work
By: Faith Miller
October 16, 2019
Originally appeared in the Colorado Springs Independent
Vincent Atchity, formerly of Equitas Project, is Mental Health Colorado’s new CEO.
Statewide nonprofit Mental Health Colorado’s leadership has shuffled around a bit in the past year, but its mission remains the same: “promoting mental health, ending stigma, and ensuring equitable access to mental health and substance use services.”
The shake-ups started when former CEO Andrew Romanoff resigned from his role at Mental Health Colorado early this year before ...
Teen Suicide PSAs released by coalition of Colorado state offices, parents, teens
By: Ellis Arnold
October 14, 2019
Originally appeared in the Highlands Ranch Herald.
Youths speak out about mental health following stories of south metro suicides.
When the impact of a suicide started to take a toll on Jim Janicek's kids, he knew he had to do something.
“My kids go to Arapahoe High School,” Janicek told a crowd at the Ralph L. Carr Colorado Judicial Center near downtown Denver.
When Arapahoe student Nick Bales died by suicide last fall, it sent Janicek's kids into a spiral, he said. That was just a few days before another Arapahoe student ...
Colorado Edition: Today’s the Day
October 10, 2019
On World Mental Health Day, President & CEO of Mental Health Colorado interviewed with KUNC.
Listen to the interview on KUNC.
Talking Mental Health Day
October 10, 2019
Mental Health Colorado President & CEO, Vincent Atchity discusses what Colorado is doing in regards to mental health care.
Listen to the interview on KOA.
Medicaid expanding to cover inpatient, residential addiction treatment
By: Mary Shinn
September 30, 2019
Originally appeared in The Durango Herald
20 La Plata County deaths this year involved drugs or alcohol
An expected Medicaid expansion next year will allow more low-income Southwest Colorado residents struggling with drug and alcohol addiction to seek more intensive treatment.
Local addiction experts say they hope new access to inpatient and residential addiction treatment can help prevent overdose deaths, which have been rising statewide for decades.
The number of Southwest Colorado residents who need intensive care is ...
