News Clips
July 7, 2025
Safer Housing Program in Arapahoe County Shutting Down Due to Funding Shortage
A housing program in Arapahoe County that helped Coloradans rebuild their lives is shutting down this month, leaving participants with 11 days to find a new place to go.
Mental Health Colorado announ…
July 2, 2025
The ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Is Ugly for Coloradans’ Health
In Colorado, we pride ourselves on working across the aisle when the well-being of our communities is on the line. As current and former county commissioners—one Republican and one Democrat—we don’t…
June 8, 2025
Colorado’s New Behavioral Health Administration Is Ready to Invest. Now Budget Cuts Are on the Way.
Most people haven’t seen the BHA make a direct impact in their lives at this point, so lawmakers may see it as an easy target for cuts next year, said Vincent Atchity, president and CEO of Mental Hea…
May 27, 2025
Medicaid As a Lifeline for Mental Health in Rural Colorado. We Can’t Afford to Lose It.
Colorado’s small towns and rural communities are in the midst of a mental health and substance use crisis, and Medicaid is a critical lifeline for those who might not otherwise have access to the men…
April 18, 2025
The Right Approach to Protect Our Kids from the Overdose Crisis
Colorado ranks among the five worst states in the nation for youth with substance use disorder, according to Mental Health America’s 2024 state rankings report. We’re failing our kids when it comes t…
March 31, 2025
Mental Health Advocates Seek Solutions for Safer Re-entry of Inmates Into Colorado Communities
CEO of Mental Health Colorado Vincent Atchity said he has concerns about what happens when the inmates are released. He called it a “revolving door experience” because inmates lose that consistent ac…
March 19, 2025
Colorado Psychiatric Hospital Closures Lead to Nearly 500 Behavioral Health Layoffs
Vincent Atchity, President and CEO of Mental Health Colorado, explained that these layoffs stem from multiple factors, including a Medicaid deficit and the “unwind” of COVID-era provisions. “[Colorad…
March 13, 2025
Nearly 500 Behavioral Health Workers in Colorado Have Been Laid Off in the Past 3 Months
The 48-bed hospital was operating at a loss, with only about 30 beds filled on average over the past six years and had come under intense scrutiny in recent years over patient care. The hospital open…
February 26, 2025
Colorado needs HB 1002 to Ensure Fair Access to Mental Health Care
House Bill 25-1002 is a critical step toward ensuring that mental health care is treated with the same urgency, transparency and fairness as physical health care. By establishing a clear, standardiz…
February 20, 2025
Colorado Suicide Prevention Advocacy Day Event to Be Held at Colorado State Capitol on March 12
On March 12, advocates, mental health professionals, and community members will gather at the Colorado State Capitol Building, in Denver, for an event held in conjunction with Colorado Suicide Preven…
February 9, 2025
Perspective: Countering Colorado’s Opioid Crisis
The opioid crisis remains one of the most pressing issues facing our nation and Colorado. While we are making significant progress in confronting and mitigating the problem, opioid trafficking and a…
January 26, 2025
16th Street Mall Stabbing Suspect’s Path Marked by Mental Illness, Homelessness, Drug Use
The Bridges program is only a few years old in Colorado and has been heralded as a pioneering approach to the oft-fraught intersection of mental health care and the justice system.
“Bridges is one o…
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