May 2, 2022: We invite the community to join us and our partners on Monday, May 2 at 12 p.m. in the West Foyer of the State Capitol for Mental Health Month Proclamation Day. BHA Commissioner Dr. Morgan Medlock and Dr. Rene Gonzalez, Director of Equity and Community Engagement, will be sharing remarks on their personal journeys with equity and Colorado's system-wide, collaborative EDI efforts, alongside Governor Jared Polis.
During the month of May, the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) is honoring Mental Health Awareness Month. The many challenges Coloradans have faced in the past few years has highlighted the importance of promoting mental wellbeing and developing an equitable, accountable, and effective behavioral healthcare system.
The BHA recognizes access to quality mental health care for historically and medically underserved, and tribal, urban, rural and frontier populations, as a major need in our state. We are committed to ensuring no one is denied care due to their history, identity, or disability.
We also lift up and celebrate our thoughtful and dedicated behavioral health workforce, and providers, who deliver high quality services to meet the needs of Coloradans, especially those with complex needs. The BHA is prioritizing investments and capacity to develop a behavioral health workforce that practices cultural humility, meeting people where they are.
We are grateful for the collaboration with other state departments that have joined in raising awareness for Mental Health Awareness Month, including the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, the Department of Higher Education, and the Department of Public Health and Environment. These state agencies are joined by individuals and communities across Colorado, who are counting on a better tomorrow with high-quality, accessible and just behavioral health care.