Office of Behavioral Health news

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If you're a reporter with questions for or about the Office of Behavioral Health (OBH), the Mental Health Institutes, or any of our programs, contact:

Lindsay Sandoval, OBH Media Manager
Phone: 720.594.0369 | Email: Lindsay.Sandoval@state.co.us

For information on making a Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) request, please visit our contact page.

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Fact sheets
Press releases
2020

Colorado crisis line continues record-breaking volume during COVID-19 pandemic (Nov. 23)

Colorado adds Western Slope route to opioid use disorder mobile health services program (Oct. 29)

Colorado awards $4.3 million in grants to prevent substance use disorder (Sept. 28)

Colorado receives $41.6 million over two years to address opioid crisis (Aug. 31)

Colorado Behavioral Health Task Force considers bold recommendations (July 29)

Colorado Crisis Services statement on FCC approval of federal 988 number (July 16)

Behavioral Health Task Force examines COVID-19 impacts (June 4)

Colorado announces new veterans behavioral health program (May 28)

Department of Agriculture and CDHS release rural mental health documentary and resources (May 20)

"Tough as a Mother" campaign connects Colorado moms to substance use disorder treatment services (May 8)

Colorado awarded $2 million grant for behavioral health crisis services during COVID-19 (April 21)

Youth leaders to develop messaging for Colorado Crisis Services during COVID-19 emergency (April 8)

State mental health hospital in Pueblo experiences potential data breach (April 7)

Colorado awards $4.6 million for substance use treatment in rural communities (March 12)

Recent press coverage
Title Source Date
January 2020  
GUEST COLUMN: Reforming Colorado’s mental health system Colorado Springs Gazette 1/17/20
Mental health advocates hope to change the way people are helped while in crisis 9News 1/13/2020
Communication, community effort key to preventing suicide Fort Morgan Times 1/11/21
Colorado's Crisis Service System sees big jump in calls for help, many pandemic-related Denver 7 1/7/21
December 2020  
Colorado Medicaid Expands Addiction Treatment Services Starting Jan. 1 KUNC 12/30/20
Colorado Crisis Line available for anyone struggling Denver 7 12/30/20
Suicides tend to spike in January, warns St. Mary's Grand Junction Daily Sentinel 12/28/20
Colorado crisis line continues record-breaking volume during COVID-19 pandemic KKTV  12/28/20
What’s Working: Colorado resources for the unemployed, those in need or those who’d like to support them Colorado Sun 12/26/20
 A tough year for mental health, substance abuse Vail Daily 12/26/20
Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo receives Moderna vaccine KKTV 12/23/20
Colorado Mental Health Institute Pueblo working on gentler approach to patient care Pueblo Chieftain 12/22/20
On Edge: Colorado’s behavioral health chief talks about stigma, his own depression struggle Colorado News Collaborative 12/18/20
Corrections officer title will change to ‘clinical safety specialist’ at Colorado Mental Health Institute in Pueblo KKTV 12/17/20
Denver health care officials warn of coming mental health crisis Fox 31 12/17/20
Youth suicides on the Eastern Plains spark political protest, “7 is too many” social media campaign Colorado Sun 12/17/20
CHA Releases CO’s CURE Opioid Prescribing Guidelines Western Slope Now 12/15/20
Pueblo County to receive vaccine shipment later this week KOAA 12/14/20
For Farmers And Ranchers, Coronavirus Made An Already Complicated Mental Health Picture Even Harder KRCC  12/14/20
Colorado's list of hospitals, health agencies getting coronavirus vaccine first released Denver Gazette 12/11/20
Gov. Jared Polis gives update on COVID-19 in Colorado, Dec. 11 KRDO  12/11/20
3 Pueblo County facilities to receive COVID-19 vaccines KKTV 12/11/20
Recovery Cards Offer “Words I Didn’t Have” Treatment Magazine 12/8/20
People are using Colorado Crisis Services 55% more in 2020 compared to 2017 9News 12/8/20
On Edge: Coloradans struggle with mental health in a state ill-prepared to help them Colorado News Collaborative 12/6/20
Mobile Health Clinic Helps Rural Communities Battle Addiction KREX  12/1/20

 

Campaigns
  • Colorado Crisis Services is the statewide behavioral health crisis response system offering residents mental health, substance use or emotional crisis help, information and referrals. This campaign aims to increase awareness and utilization of this vital service.
  • Below the Surface aims to help teens connect to and get support from the Colorado Crisis Services text line. This text line allows anyone to text 24/7 with a trained counselor on a personal, free, confidential line.
  • Lift The Label strives to remove damaging labels and stigma that prevent those with opioid addiction from seeking effective treatment.
  • The Recovery Cards Project is a collaboration between the Lift The Label campaign, people in recovery, and artists in Colorado and nationwide. Together, we’ve created free greeting cards that celebrate recovery, provide encouragement to those who need it and express gratitude to those who support others in their recovery.
  • COACT builds a system of services and supports for children with serious behavioral health challenges and their families.