Some of the 1,400 patients of a Western Slope clinic are still struggling to find care a month after its abrupt closure

Mental health experts said they understand state leaders needed to shut down the clinic to ensure patient safety. But the national behavioral health crisis is making it difficult for some former Integrated clients to find competent care, especially in rural areas, where mental health care options are scarce and the distance between medical offices is vast.

But when a clinic shutters in a small, rural community, that’s an emergency too, said Vincent Atchity, president and CEO of Mental Health Colorado.

Patients can lose access to their medications, they can face long wait times while trying to access new care and the closure can create distrust in the mental health care system and discourage patients from finding new doctors, he said.