By Barbara Ryan & Susan Marine When we are confronted with unfathomable tragedy, tragedy that strikes at our belief in humanity, we understandably seek any avenue to prevent its recurrence. This is how mental illness and violence have become linked in our public discourse. Contrary to the portrayal this implies, the face of mental illness…

Yesenia Robles | Denver Post A $10 million request from Gov. John Hickenlooper to fund improvements in the state’s mental health system was approved Tuesday — and doubled to $20 million — as an alternative proposal drafted by the health centers themselves was incorporated in pieces. The Joint Budget Committee’s approval includes full funding for…

It gives us great pleasure to announce the honorees of the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare’s Awards of Excellence for the state of Colorado.   Welcome Back Awards: Lifetime Achievement First Prize: Major General (ARMY Ret.) Mark Graham and Carol Graham, Colorado Springs, CO Reintegration Awards: Achievement Second Prize: Carol Jean Garner, Director of…

A few hours ago, President Obama unveiled a plan for a mix of executive and legislative action designed to curb gun violence. A major component of the President’s plan calls for improving U.S. mental health services. CBHC is thrilled to note that one of the tools specifically listed in the President’s plan is Mental Health First Aid (MHFA).

By Michael Booth The Denver Post Colorado must reform laws and insurance benefits to give patients and families access to mental illness treatment equal to what as they usually get for medical treatment, panelists at an informal “hearing” said Thursday night. The mental health community has waited more than four years since passage of a…

An intensive family- and community-based treatment program in Weld County for high-risk juveniles, Multisystemic Therapy (MST), has recently been recognized for outstanding service. Nominated for the annual “Whatever It Takes” award by the international MST Institute for its success with troubled youth, the North Range Behavioral Health MST program represents one of 500-plus programs in 34 states and 14 countries. David Bernstein, Director of The Center for Effective Interventions, who co-nominated the team for this award with their MST consultant Angelia Watson, says, “The North Range Behavioral Health MST Team consistently meets and then surpasses its goals; they are extraordinary professionals who passionately believe in MST and the importance of implementing the model with fidelity.”

CBHC member, AspenPointe, was recently named the recipient of a major grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to fund its work to integrate care with Peak Vista Community Health Centers. “We have partnered with Peak Vista doing Integrated Behavioral/Physical health care for the past seven years, which has resulted in many…

A recent article in Mental Health Weekly highlights a new report released by the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare about the effectiveness of serving veterans’ behavioral health needs in the community.

The report examines the cost of veterans’ unmet mental health needs and finds major benefits in investing more dollars for providers who deliver proper evidence-based care.