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Your voice for healthier minds across the lifespan for all Coloradans
 

May 2024

Dear ,

Happy Flashback Friday! Across history, the discourse regarding mental health has evolved significantly, and yet there remains much ground to cover. Since our establishment, Mental Health Colorado has been at the forefront of mental health advocacy, striving to break down barriers, promote education and compassion, and provide support to those in need. Read on to learn more about our efforts throughout the 2010's!

Thank you for your dedicated support. We look forward to all we will continue accomplishing together this year and in years to come.



Vincent Atchity
President & CEO

In the early 2010’s, local and national events played a substantial role in Mental Health Colorado’s enrichment and expansion of leadership. In 2011, MHC expanded the Pro Bono Counseling and Referral Program to Pueblo and Glenwood Springs, matching 47 individuals in rural Colorado with providers to receive free counseling.

After the July 2012 mass shooting in Aurora that claimed the lives of 12 individuals and injured many more, mental health issues were thrust into the spotlight here in Colorado. The following year, Governor John Hickenlooper signed a bill (SB13-266) to provide over $20 million in new funding for the Colorado Crisis Services that still exist today to serve Coloradans. Nationally, the deadly shootings in Connecticut in December 2012 led President Obama to add several health initiatives to his agenda, including adding mental health first aid training to the Affordable Care Act, similar to MHC’s Mental Health First Aid Program. Furthermore, MHC was closely involved in the creation of the Connect for Health Colorado health insurance marketplace which launched in October 2013.

MHC championed significant reforms in the 2010s, including: ending the practice of using jails for mental health holds with the passage of SB17-207, and strengthening mental health parity with HB19-1269, which improved consumer protections and early intervention measures. Additionally, HB19-1044 established psychiatric advance directives, allowing individuals to specify their preferred treatment methods during mental health crises. These efforts have collectively transformed the behavioral health landscape in Colorado, emphasizing consumer protection and comprehensive crisis response systems.

In 2016, Mental Health Colorado established the Brain Wave- our statewide network of grassroots advocates. Now with over 1,500 advocates and growing, Brain Wave members play a critical role in promoting healthier minds across the lifespan and help illustrate existing barriers people with lived experience continue to face. Members often share their experience with the media, with community and agency partners, and with lawmakers during committee hearings.

Donate now to support Mental Health Colorado's ongoing mission to
promote the health and well-being of Coloradans across the lifespan!


Upcoming Community Events

May 25

May 25

  • Event: Mental Health Mindful Walk
  • Hosted by: Fruits for Life Coaching
  • When: 10:00am-12:00pm
  • Where: Washington Park (701 South Franklin Street Denver, CO 80209)
  • FREE

May 26

  • Event: Qigong and Meditation
  • Hosted by: Judy Thurman
  • When: 9:00am-10:30am
  • Where: Observatory Park (2930 East Iliff Avenue Denver, CO 80210)
  • $12

May 29

May 30

May 30

  • Yoga Class: Backline Fundraiser
  • Hosted by: Yogi Colorado
  • When: 4:30pm-5:30pm
  • Where: Yogi Colorado (15200 East Girard Avenue, #2700 Aurora, CO 80014)
  • Suggested Donation

May 30

  • Weekly Session: AcuDetox
  • Hosted by: Mental Health Partners
  • When: 3:30pm-4:30pm
  • Where: Heart-centered Yoga (1455 Dixon Avenue #suite 210 Lafayette, CO 80026)
  • $10

May 31

May 31

Join Healing Advocacy Fund at the Aspen Psychedelic Symposium on May 31 and June 1!

As we reflect on the state of mental health in Colorado this month, we believe that hope is on the horizon for Coloradans who are struggling. A growing body of clinical research shows that psilocybin therapy can be a safe and effective treatment option for conditions like depression, anxiety, and addiction. Next year, with the launch of Colorado’s regulated psilocybin therapy program, adults across the state will have access to this promising modality to support mental health and wellbeing.

Earlier this year, Mental Health Colorado was pleased to partner with the Healing Advocacy Fund on a 4-part webinar series to educate providers about the research-backed therapeutic potential of natural medicines. This month, Healing Advocacy Fund is co-hosting the second annual Aspen Psychedelic Symposium.

This two-day gathering, taking place on Friday, May 31, and Saturday, June 1, in Aspen, Colorado will showcase expert panels, groundbreaking research, and firsthand insights into the transformative world of psychedelic medicines as Colorado opens new pathways to healing – featuring a lineup of 30 distinguished speakers, with keynote talks by Rick Doblin, PhD, Namae Ntumae, and Gül Dölen, MD, PhD. Learn more

Symposium Passes are available now on aspenshowtix.com. They are $100 per person for the full, two-day event, with single-day passes available for $60 each, as organizers aim to provide affordable access to this important conversation.

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