Since 1949, the month of May has been recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month. Statistically, about one in four Americans will experience a diagnosable mental disorder in any given year. More than 50% of us will be diagnosed at some point in our lifetimes. I’m not sure why those numbers[Read More…]
Tag: Mental Health
Alternatives to bigger jails aren’t a partisan issue
If you know someone is a Republican or Democrat, then you might assume you know exactly where they stand on whether local jails need to be expanded. But if recent experience in the rural, southwest Oregon county where I live is any guide, it’s not that simple. The economy in[Read More…]
Letter: State statement on mental health services
Dear Editor: Ensuring Coloradans have real access to mental and behavioral health care services has been a commitment for the Polis-Primavera administration since day one. Even before the pandemic increased the need for behavioral health services into a crisis, we recognized the need to make significant changes to our behavioral[Read More…]
5 tips to help tackle holiday stress
We’re in what’s often dubbed “the most wonderful time of the year,” and you may agree. Still, added pressures amid the holiday season can test even the jolliest of elves. Beyond the usual decorating, shopping, cooking, social obligations and more, this year there may again be concerns about avoiding COVID-19[Read More…]
The trouble with Mind Springs
Two counties are breaking from their mental health provider. Others are taking notes. By SUSAN GREENE Colorado News Collaborative This investigation is part of the ongoing “On Edge” series about Colorado’s mental health by the Colorado News Collaborative, the nonprofit that unites more than 160 communities and news outlets to[Read More…]
The mental health workforce shortage
This investigation is part of the ongoing “On Edge” series about Colorado’s mental health by the Colorado News Collaborative, the nonprofit that unites more than 160 communities and news outlets like ours to ensure quality news for all Coloradans. The series title reflects a state that has the nation’s highest[Read More…]
Editor’s Column: ‘Mental health will drive you mad’
We’re bringing you the latest installment in the “On Edge” series from the Colorado News Collaborative this week. The series — a deep dive into the embarrassing state of mental health care in Colorado — has local impact, and a bit of its roots can be traced to the story[Read More…]
State mental health safety net is failing Coloradans
Will planned reforms fix or further the problems? This investigation is part of the ongoing “On Edge” series about Colorado’s mental health by the Colorado News Collaborative, the nonprofit that unites more than 160 communities and news outlets like ours to ensure quality news for all Coloradans. The series title[Read More…]
Reflecting on the death of Laurie French, one year later
RANGELY I A year after the body of Laurie French, 38, was found off County Rd. 23 just outside of Rangely, her family and friends have questions about how her disappearance was handled by law enforcement. EARLY LIFE French was born in California in November 1981 and moved to Grand[Read More…]
After wanting to die, learning to live
AURORA | Navee Essien has grown up keenly aware of her gifts. More times than she can count, people have reminded the senior at Aurora’s Rangeview High how fortunate she is to have a close family and strong support system, academic and athletic talent, ease making friends, and the kind[Read More…]
How friendship can be a safety net
GRAND JUNCTION | It started about four years ago when Laurel Carpenter and Melissa Humphrey bought matching parkas and then matching comfort shoes. Soon enough, the nurses-slash-best friends from Grand Junction found themselves with matching chihuahua-print leggings and matching hoodies with fleece-lined pockets in which they carry their matching chihuahuas.[Read More…]
Veteran paramedic grapples with post-COVID toll on his lungs and his sense of self
ALAMOSA | Even now, nearly three months after COVID invaded his body, Jason McGinnis cannot stop asking himself how he contracted the virus. On its face, the answer seems clear: He’s a paramedic. But he was careful, thought himself well-protected, thought that if he did catch COVID, he’d knock it[Read More…]
