Putting Brain Health patients in Colorado first
With a common goal of destigmatizing mental illness in Colorado and advancing quick and easy patient access to medication, Brain Health Colorado is a coalition of diverse organizations located throughout the state of Colorado.
Why Colorado?
Of the 50 states and District of Columbia, Colorado is ranked 45 by Mental Health America in adult mental health care, meaning that Colorado adults have some of the highest prevalence of mental illness in the country and lowest access-to-care rates.
Major Depressive Episode
15% of Colorado youth had at least one major depressive episode in the past year.
Mental Health Treatment
53% of Colorado adults with a mental illness do not receive treatment for it.
Disconnect Between Health Systems
31% of Colorado adults reported they were not able to receive the treatment they needed, due to factors such as lack of insurance coverage, shortfall in psychiatrists, lack of available treatment types, disconnect between primary care systems and behavioral health systems, and insufficient finances to cover costs.
High Rate of Mental Health & Substance Abuse
Colorado is ranked 45th out of the 50 states and D.C. in mental illness prevalence among adults, indicating a very high rate of mental health and substance abuse disorders.
Latest News
Colorado is pouring more money into schools for kids with behavioral health issues and disabilities. But is it helping?
CPR News Colorado is doubling the funding next year for schools that enroll students whose mental health or medical needs are too intense for regular schools to handle, calling for 12 new schools to open within the next three years. But even as the state attempts to...
CRITICAL MASS: Mental health problems among Colorado children becoming a crisis
By Carina Julig for the Colorado Sentinel Nearly two years ago, pediatricians and psychologists from Children’s Hospital Colorado convened a press conference to declare a “state of emergency” for pediatric mental health in Colorado. Post-pandemic, the state’s young...
Column: Reducing barriers to mental health treatment
By State Sen. Chris Kolker - Douglas County News-Press But there is always more to be done in correcting the healthcare gap between mental and physical illnesses. HB23-1130 is a bill currently gaining traction in our state legislature that is looking to reduce the...
Resources
Mental illness is a serious issue in Colorado. Please get in touch with one of the resources below if you are struggling. If you are having a mental crisis and an immediate risk to yourself or others, please dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.