The mental health and substance use disorder safety net is plagued by uncertainty
By Kara Johnson-Hufford For Colorado’s safety net providers, these are challenging times. For Colorado’s Community Mental Health Centers, it’s hard to see the path forward because uncertainty in a host of areas clouds the picture. Why the apprehension? Because many of our state’s bedrock, community-based mental health and substance use disorder providers are on the…
Read More
Immediate action required to protect safety net behavioral health system
By Kara Johnson-Hufford We’ve all seen and heard a lot about the challenges we face as a state around our mental health and substance use disorder treatment systems. An increasing number of people in need of services and supports, a declining number of people working in the system and funding for all of this that…
Read More
Colorado’s behavioral health reform can’t leave the most seriously mentally ill behind
By Kara Johnson-Hufford Recently, the mayors of Colorado’s three largest cities made a public plea for help in three newspapers. Their point was simple: If we leave people with serious mentally illness (SMI) to fend for themselves in our communities and on our streets, we are endangering them and hurting our communities. The mayors of…
Read More
Investing in a system that fills gaps across the state
By Kara Johnson-Hufford, CBHC CEO There is no doubt that Colorado invests significant state dollars in community mental health centers and clinics across Colorado with about $500 million flowing to the 17 centers that blanket the state. It’s important to understand what Colorado’s return on that investment is in lives saved, quality of life improved…
Read More
Crisis care is at the heart of community mental health centers’ service
By Kara Johnson-Hufford, CBHC CEO Individuals with serious, persistent mental illness need a variety of care, supports and wrap around services to successfully manage their often-multiple challenges. Community mental health centers were built for just this purpose. The initial community mental health center system was built to take care of the most seriously mentally ill…
Read More
Community roots in service run deep for mental health centers across Colorado
By Kara Johnson-Hufford, CBHC CEO In Greeley, teachers self-administered a survey in 1913 that revealed the need for a mental health center for their students. When the center opened, a child psychiatrist provided services one day a month. Now known as North Range Behavioral Health, the center has been continuously providing services and expanding well…
Read More
Meet CBHC’s New CEO, Kara Johnson-Hufford
The Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council would like to introduce you to our new CEO, Kara Johnson-Hufford. A few words from Kara Johnson-Hufford I’m thrilled and honored to be taking the reins at CBHC. Doyle’s are big shoes to fill, and I’m eager to begin the work. The video that accompanies this gives you a bit…
Read More
Kendra Scott Donates to Mental Health First Aid Colorado!
Tomorrow, May 20th, in honor of May is Mental Health Month, Kendra Scott jewelers will be donating 20% of their proceeds to Mental Health First Aid Colorado at their Cherry Creek location from 2pm – 4pm! They will also honor the 20% discount at their online store for both May 20th and 21st. We hope that you…
Read More
AG Community Highlighted as Colorado Mental Health Expert Testifies in Congress
Rural Stress is a term coined for those working in the agriculture industry, facing a unique set of stress factors others may not even consider. Increased fertilizer costs, drought, vulnerability of commodity prices, and the looming fear of failing to keep a family’s multi-generational legacy alive are just a few of those stressors. While counseling…
Read More
Why Diversus Health Is Partnering With a Soccer Team
Mental health isn’t something that can be ignored. From the most acute cases, to a more mild case of anxiety that can occasionally get in the way of your everyday life, it touches us all. And that’s why Diversus Health is focused on mental health and well-being, not just for clients whose mental health is…
Read More