Press releases
Legislators, Community Members to Drive Transformation of Colorado’s Behavioral Health System
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 3, 2021
Media Contact:
Aubree Thompson
405-615-3845
Legislators, Community Members to Drive Transformation of Colorado’s Behavioral Health System
Mental Health Colorado says Priority Must be Given to Ending Systematic Inequities and Discrimination
DENVER—Legislators and community members will convene the Behavioral Health Transformational Task Force in August to decide how to spend $450 million dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dedicated to behavioral health. According to Mental Health Colorado, this is a once in a ...
Mental Health Colorado Seeks to Enact 988 Crisis Response Number to Combat Rising Suicide Rates
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 26, 2021
Media Contact:
Flora Welsh, Communications Manager
502-727-4329
Mental Health Colorado Seeks to Enact 988 Crisis Response Number to Combat Rising Suicide Rates
A Bill Concerning Enacting the Federal Law Has Bi-Partisan Sponsorship
DENVER—To address the growing suicide rates in the U.S., Congress passed legislation last October to approve a proposal designating 988 as the national suicide prevention crisis hotline number – much like 911. Now, it is up to Colorado to put the legislation into action.
l Health Colorado ...
Colorado Bill To Provide Free Mental Health Services To Colorado Youth In Response To Pandemic’s Impact
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15, 2021
Media Contact:
Flora Welsh, Communications Manager
502.727.4329
Colorado Bill To Provide Free Mental Health Services To Colorado Youth In Response To Pandemic’s Impact
Denver — The disruptions and challenges to children’s mental health resulting from the pandemic have inspired the Colorado state legislature to work on a solution to deliver recovery-focused care to Colorado’s youth before the start of the next academic year. Mental Health Colorado supports House Bill 21-1258 Rapid Mental Health Response For Colorado’s ...
Proposed Law Would Limit the Use of Solitary Confinement in Colorado Jails
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 25, 2021
Media Contact:
Aubree Hughes, Director of Communications
405-615-3845
Proposed Law Would Limit the Use of Solitary Confinement in Colorado Jails
Studies Show Psychological Stress from Isolation Compares to Physical Torture
DENVER—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 ...
Secure Transportation Bill 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 9, 2021
Media Contact:
Aubree Hughes, Communications Director
405-615-3845
Secure Transportation Bill Introduced to Improve Mental Health Crisis Response, Reduce Burden on Law Enforcement
DENVER—In the midst of a mental health or substance use crisis, many Coloradans are transported by law enforcement in handcuffs or by ambulance. According to mental health advocates, this dramatic and inappropriate response exacerbates crises, and can be perceived as a public shaming of people with mental health and substance use ...
Mental Health Advocates Introduce Bill To Support People in Recovery, Address Health Care Workforce Shortage
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Feb. 18, 2021
Media Contact:
Aubree Hughes, Director of Communications
405-615-3845
Mental Health Advocates Introduce Bill To Support People in Recovery, Address Health Care Workforce Shortage
With Bipartisan Support, HB 21-1021 Seeks to Improve Peer Support Services
DENVER—In the past two years, the number of Coloradans who didn’t receive mental health or substance use care that they needed nearly doubled—yet, in 2019, Colorado’s behavioral health workforce only met 30% of the state’s need. ...
Mental Health Colorado Convenes State and County Partners to Disentangle Mental Health, Criminal Justice
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 25, 2021
Media Contact:
Aubree Hughes, Director of Communications
405-615-3845
Mental Health Colorado Convenes State and County Partners to Disentangle Mental Health, Criminal Justice
DENVER— In the absence of adequate access to health services, people with unmanaged mental health needs often intersect with law enforcement and spend time in jails, then cycling in and out of detention, homelessness, and joblessness. Mental Health Colorado, the state’s leading mental health advocacy organization, will host the Colorado Counties ...
Mental Health Colorado Announces Positions for 2020 Ballot Issues
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Oct. 1, 2020
Media Contact:
Flora Welsh
502-727-4329
Mental Health Colorado Announces Positions for 2020 Ballot Issues
The advocacy group supports paid family leave, nicotine tax, Gallagher Amendment repeal
DENVER—Mental Health Colorado is taking a position on four of the ballot issues being brought before voters in November. There are eleven total ballot issues—three are referred measures by the legislature, and eight are citizen initiatives. Mental Health Colorado supports paid family and medical leave, tax on nicotine products, and ...
Former Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy to Headline Mental Health Colorado Fundraising Gala
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Sept. 29, 2020
Media Contact:
Aubree Hughes
405-615-3845
Former Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy to Headline Mental Health Colorado Fundraising Gala
Kennedy Championed Landmark Legislation to End Unequal Treatment of Mental Health, Addiction
DENVER—For 37 years, Mental Health Colorado—the state’s leading mental health advocate—has hosted their annual Tribute Gala fundraiser. For the first time, the event will be virtual and former Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy will give the keynote. With former Denver Bronco Reggie Rivers as ...
Mental Health Colorado to Host Candidate Forums
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 24, 2020
Media Contact:
Aubree Hughes
405-615-3845
Mental Health Colorado to Host Candidate Forums
Three forums will feature state house, state senate, district attorney, and board of education candidates
DENVER - As a nonpartisan organization, Mental Health Colorado doesn’t endorse candidates, but the nonprofit advocacy group is educating candidates and constituents from all parties about the urgency of supporting healthier minds across the lifespan for all Coloradans. Mental Health Colorado will host a series of candidate forums ...