More than 38% of Coloradans over the age of 16 reported a decline in mental health in a 2021 Colorado Health Access Survey. For Mental Health Colorado — which advocates for each Coloradan to receive equitable access to mental health supports — these numbers are critical and it is ready to do something about it.
Mental Health Colorado states that Colorado is ranked last in the United States for access to mental health. This while more and more people are in need.
“We’re in a critical moment for mental well-being for Coloradans,” said Vincent Atchity, president and CEO of Mental Health Colorado. “But intentional self-care doesn’t have to be a big lift. Most of us already do small things each day that promote our own mental well-being, and we may not even realize it. Now is the time to keep taking — or start taking — those small steps.”
Taking advantage of the increased awareness of the need for mental health support since the onset of the pandemic Mental Health Colorado wanted to contribute something helpful to the community.
“Now we have a whole world who has been thinking about their mental health and how their mental health and their physical health are really two sides to the same coin,” Atchity said.
Beyond the need to recognize mental health as a need, Atchity also recognized the struggle many Coloradans face just making the first steps in accessing care.
He said many adults might have had to wait months for an appointment. Even for those who were lucky enough to get an appointment, they struggle with finding quality care or care specific to the needs of the individual. Even when a person is able to cross all of those barriers, Atchity said there are several hurdles to paying for that care.
“All of those circumstances are dramatically worsened because of the volume of people seeking care has increased while the workforce has suffered all kinds of decline,” Atchity said.
According to Atchity, there are over 1,000 positions open for mental health providers throughout the state yet there are many more than that seeking care.
Despite the imbalance in the mental health field, Atchity and Mental Health Colorado wanted to help people do what they can for themselves. This does not take the place of mental health care, especially in emergent situations, but perhaps will help some individuals cope better with daily stressors.
Capitalizing on the things everyday people do to take care of their own mental health, the organization created “What’s your Peace.” This is a campaign of photos, videos, written testimonials and more that highlight the everyday moments that bring a person peace.
For some that may include reading a book, for others, it may be mountain biking through deep snow, whatever the moment of peace, Mental Health Colorado is asking Coloradans to share.
“Being aware of what those things are that help us recommit to carving out time in the day to carry-on with those practices in small steps,” Atchity said.
Not only is the campaign focused on helping Coloradans remember to take a moment for themselves, but it also provides a moment for people to see that they are not alone, that there are people nearby who enjoy the same activities as they do, Atchity said.
“... what’s within our immediate scope are things that we can have some influence over, just reaching out and grab your book, or turn off the light, or open that window, or pet that dog, … these are the things that empower us … When we reassert that focus on stuff that is within our manageable reach we start to feel better,” Atchity explained.
