Tag: vincent atchity
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New report: Colorado remains in mental health crisis
For two years in a row, Colorado has had nearly the worst rate in the nation of mental illness among children and adults, when compared with other states and the District of Columbia, according to a large-scale industry study. Colorado ranks 50th — or second to last — for the prevalence of any mental health…
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What federal Medicaid cuts could mean for rural Colorado’s mental health care
Mental health care in rural Colorado is already under strain. Clinics often serve clients facing complex challenges like depression, addiction, and trauma, all while operating with limited staff and tight budgets. For many, Medicaid is the only way to access care. In some counties, Medicaid supports up to 60 percent of patients and is critical…
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New commission creates statewide standards for Colorado jails
What set of standards are jails held to in the state of Colorado? Until recently, the answer was none. In 2022, Rep. Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, sought to rectify that by creating the Colorado Jail Standards Commission. The goal of the commission, in Amabile’s words, is to create a set of standards within the state that…
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Spike in suicides in El Paso County jail highlights shortfalls of mental health care for those behind bars
After a 33-year-old man took his life last week while incarcerated at the El Paso County jail, the number of suicides in the facility since 2019 rose to five, after nearly a decade when none were reported. Their deaths come as suicides remain as the No. 1 cause of death in jails nationwide and as…