RBC | A troubled Western Slope mental health care center falsified assessments of its patients’ conditions for at least nine years in an effort to make its treatment programs seem more effective and secure funding from the state, whistleblowers say. The state overlooked what former workers describe as a long[Read More…]
Tag: On Edge
On Edge Statewide Conversation
LIVE on Tuesday, May 17 from 5:30-7 p.m. Join Colorado News Collaborative, in collaboration with Colorado Public Radio, for a 90-minute statewide conversation at the Buell Public Media Center’s Masterpiece studio on May 17th from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. about the mental health crisis and gaps in Colorado’s safety net[Read More…]
Investigation into Mind Springs reveals ‘severe, life-threatening’ prescription errors
RBC I A pattern of “severe, life-threatening” prescription errors by the troubled mental health center responsible for treating 10 Western Slope counties put many of its patients at risk, according to the findings of an official investigation that three state agencies withheld from the public for more than nine months.[Read More…]
Mind Springs CEO Raggio resigns, effective immediately
RBC I CEO and President of Mind Springs Health Sharon Raggio announced her resignation Tuesday, Jan. 4, “effective immediately” after 14 years at the helm of the organization. She had been planning to retire in June 2022, but made the decision to leave early following statewide media coverage by the[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…]
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…]
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…]
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…]
In the wake of furloughs, closings, suicides, a mountain town businessman searches for balance
BRECKENRIDGE | Dick Carleton came to Breckenridge from Virginia when he was 24. He had a business degree from Virginia Tech, a ‘69 Volkswagen bug, $100 and three friends willing to share a crappy two-bedroom condo with no insulation. It was awful. It was glorious. He was “full of rebel[Read More…]