State Medicaid agencies are playing an increasing role in funding, managing, and monitoring public mental health services in States, reflecting the steady growth over the last three decades in the share of public mental health services funded by Medicaid. Yet relatively little is known on a State-by-State basis about how Medicaid agencies are exercising their responsibilities for mental health services. The survey described in this report begins to fill that gap.

Click here to access a full version of the report.

Colorado’s teens top the nation in depression, and its young people drink, smoke and use dangerous drugs more often than their counterparts in most other states, a federal study shows.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration report is based on responses by 136,000 people to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Click here to read the entire Rocky Mountain News article.

• LEAD selected for best practices and model for other community health centers to emulate
• First Lady Jeannie Ritter adds congrats
• Award adds to continued recognition at national, statewide levels

• Empower and educate employees through experiential learning;
• Enhance retention of valued employees;
• Facilitate the promotion of qualified individuals who have a commitment to the success of the organization;
• Give employees a closer perspective on the Center’s mission, values and board goals; and
• Increase internal communication and collaboration.

• Recognition in 2001 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services which named the Center a part of a nationwide effort to bring the very best treatment for children who have suffered serious trauma.

• In 2002, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services chose to fund an alliance between the Center and the Metro Community Provider Network to bring integrated behavioral and primary care to homeless adults.

• The Colorado Division of Mental Health named the Center as the number one Community Mental Health Center in Colorado in 2006.

• Recently, the LEAD program was recognized by the national Annapolis Coalition on the Behavioral Health Workforce as one of the top programs in the area of leadership nationwide.

Mental Health America of Colorado honored Kevin Thompson, of Greeley, above left, for his dedication to mental health at the organization’s 15th annual Legislative Education Day Feb. 8. His efforts include local, regional and statewide advocacy work on behalf of people living with mental illness.

Click here to read the full article in TheTribune.

Several CBHC staff and member representatives were fortunate to attend a screening of the film Canvas at the Carriage House of the Governor’s Mansion on February 12, 2008.  The film, written and directed by Joseph Greco, tells the story of how a family and community are touched by the mental illness of  a mother diagnosed with schizophrenia as seen through the eyes of the 10 year old son.  Joe Pantoliano and Mary Gay Harden star while Devon Gearhart is introduced through his heartwarming portrayal of Chris.  Click here to learn more and access the film yourself.

Additionally, Joe Pantoliano has partnered with others in the entertainment industry to create No Kidding, Me Too!  No Kidding, Me Too! is a nonprofit organization comprised of entertainment industry members united in an effort to educate Americans about the epidemic related to mental illness in all forms.  Click here to learn how you too can help reduce the stigma of mental illness in America.

The Behavioral Health Task Force Report is available for viewing or downloading at http://www.csi-policy.org/1050taskforce/

Josh was the type of son who wrote, "I love you, Mom," in soap scum in the shower.

Jeff was captain of his freshman basketball team, a gregarious kid who could imitate Jim Carrey in a flash.

Gabe was the one with the big heart, the guy who picked up the phone with a giant "yeeeelllooo" and strived to make others happy.

They never knew each other, living in different parts of Colorado or the country at different times, yet they are connected by the tragic ways their lives ended - in suicide.

Years ago, many wouldn’t talk about suicide.

Click here to read the full article in the Rocky Mountain News.

Looking Forward is written by a team of eight analysts from the Bell Policy Center, Colorado Children’s Campaign and Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute. They focused on the six-year study period of FY 2007-08 through FY 2012-13 — the last three years of the Referendum C time-out and the first three years of the new Ref C revenue cap.

Click here to visit the Looking Forward web page and to download the full pdf.

SAMHSA provides this Web Guide to assist the public with simple and direct connections to Web sites that contain information about interventions to prevent and/or treat mental and substance use disorders.  The Web Guide provides a list of Web sites that contain information about specific evidence-based practices (EBPs) or provide comprehensive reviews of research findings.

Click here to access the SAMHSA Web Guide page.