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July 2024
We’re excited to announce the release of our 2024 Legislative Report & Scorecard, highlighting key achievements during the 2024 legislative session and grading lawmakers based on their support for policies to promote healthier minds across the lifespan for all Coloradans amidst the state’s persistent health crisis.
 
Click here to Access the 2024 Legislative Report & Scorecard!
“Colorado is in the midst of a health crisis that demands immediate and sustained attention and action,” said Vincent Atchity, President & CEO. “This year, with the help of allies in the legislature and powerful grassroots advocates, we chipped away at major systemic barriers that have perpetuated this crisis and made key investments to support our most vulnerable community members. Thanks to our state lawmakers’ demonstrated commitment to mental health, particularly the 69 who received perfect scores on our scorecard this year, we’re hopeful for a future where each Coloradan has the best chance for a happy, healthy life that human compassion and intelligence can
support.
 
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‘Know Your Rights’ Guide for Mental Health and Substance Use Services
 
As new legal protections for patients seeking or receiving mental health and substance use care take effect, we’ve created a guide to help Coloradans familiarize themselves with their legal rights. Within the guide, you will find important, situation-specific information about Coloradans’ legal rights and what to expect while seeking or receiving care. This includes rights for children and minors, legal parameters around involuntary mental health and substance use services, and information about mental health parity requirements that ensure behavioral health services are as accessible as physical health services. The guide also directs Coloradans to key resources
for when their rights have been denied or violated.
Click here to access the guide!
“All Coloradans deserve to be treated with dignity and respect when accessing health care and services,” said Vincent Atchity, President and CEO of Mental Health Colorado. “Unfortunately, people experiencing mental health and substance use conditions don’t always know what to expect in care settings and sometimes experience discrimination, violations of their rights, and unjust barriers to care rather than getting the high-quality, compassionate care they need to heal. It’s critical to empower all Coloradans with an understanding of their legal rights so they can protect and advocate for themselves and their loved ones in all care
settings."
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Compassion Over Incarceration: $13 Million to Promote Alternatives to Jail
Caring for Denver Foundation approved 18 grants totaling more than $13 million to community-based nonprofit organizations, including Mental Health Colorado for our SAFER Opportunities Initiative, in the Alternatives to Jail funding area.
“Each funded program addresses the complex needs of individuals involved in the legal system through a range of services, including mental health support, peer counseling, substance misuse treatment, trauma-informed care, culturally competent services, and comprehensive case management. The grantees provide essential resources to successfully divert individuals from the legal system and support their recovery by meeting them where they are in their journey. These initiatives aim to decrease recidivism and support a successful transition into the community.”
Want to support Mental Health Colorado?
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Get Tickets to the 41st Annual Tribute Fundraising Gala!
6:00PM | October 12, 2024 | Formal Attire
Grand Hyatt Denver, 1750 Welton St, Denver, CO
Follow this link to secure your tickets now!
Join us for a night filled with art, live music, dancing, delicious food & drinks, and engaging activities! Each ticket purchased will directly fund our programs and initiatives to support the health and well-being of Coloradans across the lifespan.
Together, we will once again celebrate accomplishments and pay tribute to the dedication of individuals and organizations in our state who have made a meaningful impact on the health landscape in Colorado.
If you have any questions or for sponsorship inquiries, please contact Ashley at aperales@mentalhealthcolorado.org.
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The Colorado Sun | 7/31/24 | Vincent Atchity
Climate change is exacerbating Colorado’s mental health crisis. We need leaders who will tackle it head-on.
"The message is simple: Political leaders, policymakers and community members who care about Colorado’s mental health crisis, particularly in how it’s impacting our children, should also prioritize climate action. In order to create healthier communities today, we must commit to building a sustainable future for tomorrow.
The present and future mental health of our young people depends on our decisions at the ballot box in November. When you mark your ballot, mark it with only love and appreciation in your heart for the health of the whole planet and for the greatest number and diversity of its people and other creatures — and, even if all is lost, you will have done something good for your own mental health in that single action."
Read More Here
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Brain Wave Policy Corner
With the upcoming election, many people feel anxious about the uncertainty of the future. One empowering step is to register to vote. It gives us the agency to influence future outcomes and support candidates who align with our values and aspirations.
Find information on how to register to vote here!
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A View from Washington, D.C.
Senate Passed Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act
Yesterday, July 30th, the Senate passed the Kids Online Safety and Privacy Ac. This package includes KOSA and COPPA 2.0, aiming to protect children's online privacy and mental health. Thank you to all individuals and organizations who have worked over the past two years to help move this important bill forward to hold Big Tech accountable and address children’s mental health upstream.
House Recess Until September
The House of Representatives started its August recess early and will remain until September 9th. The House has passed four out of twelve funding bills and was expected to pass more, including the Labor-HHS bill, but was unable to do so. The Labor-HHS bill that passed the Appropriations Committee contains some helpful increases in funding to SAMHSA and HRSA but also includes several concerning cuts to CDC and K-12 education programs. Prior to their early recess this week, the House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Health held a hearing to hear from leaders at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and to discuss CDC’s priorities. A recording of the hearing can be viewed here.
Task Force Report on Kids Online Safety
The Kids Online Health and Safety Task Force (led by SAMHSA and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration) released a new report this week with recommendations, best practices, and a research agenda for safer social media and online platform use for youth. The Task Force also committed to future actions, including providing more resources for children, teenagers, and families, guidance for pediatricians, and recommendations for conducting more research.
HUD Announces Supportive Housing Funding
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced $175 million in first-of-its-kind funding opportunities for new construction, acquisition, or rehabilitation of permanent supportive housing. Through one-time awards under the Continuum of Care (CoC) program, the CoCBuilds Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) will enable communities to develop new rental housing units with supportive services for people experiencing homelessness. Applications are due November 21, 2024.
CMS Guidance on Medicaid for Incarcerated Youth
CMS issued a letter to State Health Officials this week, addressing the statutory requirements in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (CAA, 2023) regarding the availability of certain state plan services for incarcerated youth in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and modification of CHIP eligibility requirements for children who become incarcerated. The letter also provides guidance on the requirement that states submit a state plan amendment (SPA) to implement the coverage
with an effective date of no later than January 1, 2025.
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Events
REGISTER HERE
Pride in Public Health Summit on October 4th!
In partnership with the Colorado School of Public Health, Envision:You will be co-hosting this one-day event bringing together educators, students, activists, providers, advocates, community leaders, and many more to explore the intersections of the LGBTQ+ community and public health, mental health, and wellness. Click through to register for the Summit (only $30!), become a sponsor, or submit an abstract for presentation opportunities!
Click here to get tickets!
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