News Clips
KOAA Survey: Mental health treatment in Colorado
May 11, 2021
Originally published in KOOA News Colorado
The past year has been incredibly difficult for Coloradans to cope with. Along with an unprecedented pandemic that led to lockdowns, 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 two mass shootings.
Any one of these events is enough to cause someone to need counseling from a mental health professional. Collectively, these events have led to an increase ...
5 Things Colorado: Rx affordability board, Q&A w/Vincent Atchity, Health in the budget
May 12, 2021
By: DJ Wilson
Article originally appeared on the State of Reform
Today is the 89th legislative day in what has been a unique legislative year. Sine die is scheduled for June 12th, but the budget is already passed and on its way to the governor’s desk. So, policy makers are in this odd place where the legislature can still act, but much of the heavy lifting is done. Lots of bills are still alive, but a key opportunity for leverage and horse trading is behind us.
We’re tracking some of that activity in this edition of 5 Things We’re Watching in ...
The debate over solitary confinement in Colorado jails
May 12, 2021
By: Anusha Roy
Report originally found on 9news
Both sides actually agree on some things, including that safety is first. What happens after that is up for debate.
DENVER — Both sides debating a proposed bill that would impact restrictive housing in jails agree on some things, including that safety is first.
But how to go about that is where they differ.
Colorado House Bill 1211 proposes restrictions on when a jail can put someone in restrictive housing. It's focused on people living with serious mental illness, pregnant women ...
Aurora: Seven children in six days have attempted suicide
MAy 11, 2021
By: Deborah Takahara
Full news story can be found on the KDVR website
URORA, Colo. (KDVR) — There is some alarming and heartbreaking news from Aurora: Over the last six days, seven children have attempted suicide.
Kids as young as 8 years old tried to end their lives.
“In Aurora alone in the past six days, we’ve had seven juveniles between ages of 8 to 16 attempt suicide. That’s an alarming number. They might be feeling isolation, alienation, some may be victims of crimes. There’s a lot of helplessness and hopelessness they might be ...
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:
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