Lakewood-area house candidates discuss mental health

Clarke Reader – It was a small group of state House candidates who attended the first of four candidate forums hosted by Mental Health Colorado, but the discussion of the topic was lively and full of personal stories that show mental health is an important area of concern, regardless of party.

Mary Park, independent candidate for District 22 (Columbine and Ken Caryl), Chris Hadsall, Republican candidate for District 23 (Lakewood), Chris Kennedy, Democratic candidate for District 23, and Brittany Pettersen, incumbent and Democratic candidate for District 28 (Lakewood), shared the myriad ways mental health touches everyone’s life.

“My mom suffers from mental illness and she has been suicidal and needed in-patient care, but there was really nowhere for her to go,” Pettersen said, in response to a question about the lack of inpatient beds in the state. “Where she usually got long-term care was when she as in critical condition. Coverage is a huge issue.”

The forum was hosted on Sept. 20 at the Lakewood Cultural Center, and candidates from House Districts 22, 23, 24, 25, 27 and 28 and Senate District 19 were all invited. Read more…

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