News Clips
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…
November 6, 2024
Mental Health Tips for Election Stress
“If you’re feeling anxiety or dread waiting for election results, chances are you are not alone,” said Vincent Atchity, president of Mental Health Colorado. “Take a moment to reach out to a family m…
October 30, 2024
Colorado Ballot Measure Aims to Remove Ban on Gay Marriage From State Constitution
This isn’t the first time Colorado has asked voters to remove problematic language from the state constitution. In 2018, voters approved a ballot measure to abolish slavery in the state by removing c…
August 8, 2024
Larimer County’s mental health center lays off 75 people, blames rise in uninsured and Medicaid reform
It’s hardly surprising that safety-net mental health centers are feeling the loss of Medicaid coverage for 600,000 Coloradans in the span of about a year, said Vincent Atchity, president and CEO of M…
August 5, 2024
Motel Owners Sue Greenwood Village Over Ordinance That Limits Homeless Motel Stays
In March 2020, John Jackson, the Greenwood Village city manager, sent Bharucha a letter warning that she was violating the ordinance because her motel isn’t a medical facility, according to the lawsu…
July 31, 2024
Climate change is exacerbating Colorado’s mental health crisis. We need leaders who will tackle it head-on.
Of course, a central part of the solution to eco-anxiety lies in desperately needed policy change. That means bolstering environmental protections at the federal, state and local level. The best trea…
In Crisis? Help is Available Now.
If you or someone you know needs immediate support, do not use any of the inquiry forms on this website. Help is available 24/7, for free, and is confidential using the options below.
Mental Health Colorado is an advocacy organization. We do not provide crisis services, clinical care, or direct mental health support. The organization’s contact information is for non-crisis inquiries and is monitored during business hours only.