March 2023

In the Press: SB23-176 ‘Protections for People with an Eating Disorder’

(3/18/23) 

Colorado Politics - ‘As 1 in 10 Coloradans experience eating disorders, lawmakers consider action’ 

https://marketing.mentalhealthcolorado.org/e/972023/21-11ed-984e-47ba3f08f1eb-html/bfshq/274857657?h=9hen0KeTr1ALa2H64lfbubF9Ag-QnWq-1Zdn-D8mQUM  

(3/20/23) 

The Denver Post - ‘Colorado — a national hub for eating disorder treatment — hopes to slow surging rate of stigmatized illness’ 

https://marketing.mentalhealthcolorado.org/e/972023/ampaign-denverpost-com-2795090/bfsht/274857657?h=9hen0KeTr1ALa2H64lfbubF9Ag-QnWq-1Zdn-D8mQUM 

(3/24/23) 

Colorado Politics - ‘Colorado advances eating disorder prevention, intervention bills: It's time we take a stand' 

https://marketing.mentalhealthcolorado.org/e/972023/witter-utm-campaign-user-share/bfshx/274857657?h=9hen0KeTr1ALa2H64lfbubF9Ag-QnWq-1Zdn-D8mQUM 

Click here for legislative updates - statewide and national!

Tell your legislators to oppose SB23-109 and HB23-1164: Please continue reaching out to your local representatives to vote NO on SB23-109 “Criminal Penalty Controlled Substance Supplier” and HB23-1164 “Opioid Harm Reduction,” which would do more harm to family, friends, and people who use drugs. SB23-109 passed the Senate floor 19-16 and is now positioned to go to the House. HB23-1164 is set to be heard in front of the House Judiciary Committee on April 5.

Take action and write to your legislators now: https://marketing.mentalhealthcolorado.org/e/972023/portal---view-939/bfsj4/274857657?h=9hen0KeTr1ALa2H64lfbubF9Ag-QnWq-1Zdn-D8mQUM  

Send a letter to support HB23-1202: We can prevent overdose deaths in Colorado with HB23-1202. Overdose Prevention Centers (OPCs) are proven to save lives, make neighborhoods safer, and connect people with substance use disorders to vital services and treatment.

Take action here: https://marketing.mentalhealthcolorado.org/e/972023/3zfzWYC/bfsj7/274857657?h=9hen0KeTr1ALa2H64lfbubF9Ag-QnWq-1Zdn-D8mQUM  

Survey Opportunity: The Colorado Center on Law and Policy wants to hear from you on how our state is doing on mental health parity. If you are interested in participating, you can fill out the 5-minute confidential survey on your experience interacting with our state’s behavioral health system.

Access the survey here: https://marketing.mentalhealthcolorado.org/e/972023/ZiRzMpTzPU9rPV5cMO39w-viewform/bfsjb/274857657?h=9hen0KeTr1ALa2H64lfbubF9Ag-QnWq-1Zdn-D8mQUM  

Focus Group Opportunity: As part of HB22-1325 passing, the legislature commissioned a study to understand the health impacts of this legislation. The focus groups – in-person or virtual – will ask participants questions related to substance use disorder, overdose, and the criminal legal system. There are no costs to being part of the study and participants will receive $25 for their time.

If you would like further information about participating in this research, please send both Cole Jurecka (cole.jurecka@cuanschutz.edu) Samantha Nall (Samantha.Nall@cuanschutz.edu).  

Transitional Housing & Bed Availability: As a result of the Behavioral Health Transformational Task force, there is funding for another 107 beds to be contracted to providers in the community, across the state.  

You may access all RFP documents on the VSS website - https://marketing.mentalhealthcolorado.org/e/972023/ebapp-PRDVSS2X1-AltSelfService/bfsjj/274857657?h=9hen0KeTr1ALa2H64lfbubF9Ag-QnWq-1Zdn-D8mQUM - by searching for RFP# 2023000203.

Mental Health Colorado was thrilled to host our 29th Legislative Education & Advocacy Day (LEAD) event. Thank you to all who joined and attended our virtual policy webinar and signature LEAD event featuring a fantastic panel of people with lived experience discussing what competent care really means. We especially appreciate those who were able to participate in our first-ever Day at the Capitol meeting with state legislators and advocating for a better behavioral health system in Colorado.  

Click here to find the slide deck and recording: https://marketing.mentalhealthcolorado.org/e/972023/lead2023/bfsjm/274857657?h=9hen0KeTr1ALa2H64lfbubF9Ag-QnWq-1Zdn-D8mQUM  

Every month, Mental Health Colorado convenes our Monthly Reports & Updates meeting with Coloradans across the state who are working to disentangle mental health and criminal justice. Each meeting features different speakers who share information about their respective efforts. March’s meeting featured a presentation by Sgt. Michael Vogler with Denver Police Department on Crisis Intervention Training: https://marketing.mentalhealthcolorado.org/e/972023/updates-cjmh-/bfsjq/274857657?h=9hen0KeTr1ALa2H64lfbubF9Ag-QnWq-1Zdn-D8mQUM.

Stay tuned for next month’s meeting, featuring the Colorado Fines Committee’s IMPACT Team, which you can learn more about here: https://marketing.mentalhealthcolorado.org/e/972023/impact/bfsjt/274857657?h=9hen0KeTr1ALa2H64lfbubF9Ag-QnWq-1Zdn-D8mQUM.  

Summer Golf Tournament:

Registration is now open for Mental Health Colorado’s Summer Golf Tournament! Come support our mission by enjoying the sunshine and playing 18 holes at the beautiful Indian Tree Golf Course in Arvada on June 8^th. There will be food, entertainment, and best of all, golf! This is a great way to have some fun, boost your mental wellness being outdoors, and support Mental Health Colorado. Click here to register now! If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please contact Amy Shaw at ashaw@mentalhealthcolorado.org.

Winter Park Resort: 
 

Come join us next Saturday, April 8^th, at Winter Park Resort for their Great-Full Days Event to celebrate mental health awareness. It’s a free all-day event that includes yoga sessions, concerts, aerial performances, an art walk, and a Bucket Banked Slalom. The resort is also offering a Sober Ski Day, complete with hours on the slopes, as well as a private yoga session in the afternoon for the first 25 people who sign up. You can find out more details on that here. We hope to see you there!