On Tuesday, Jan. 30, the Community Foundation hosted a discussion with Sheriff Joe Pelle and District Attorney Stan Garnett about mental health and our criminal justice system. This blog provides ideas and resources, if you need help or would like to continue to be involved and informed with this important and far-reaching topic.
On Tuesday, Jan. 30, the Community Foundation hosted a discussion with Sheriff Joe Pelle and District Attorney Stan Garnett about mental health and our criminal justice system here in Boulder County. If you missed it, view our video capture of the event on Facebook or YouTube. Below are ideas and resources, if you need help or would like to continue to be involved and informed with this important and far-reaching topic.
Recommendations from DA Garnett and Sheriff Pelle
- Continue to become informed about mental illness in our community and be open to conversations that reduce bias and stigma and increase compassion and support.
- Reach out to any of the coalitions working on local issues of access to care, reduction of stigma and open dialogues.
- Support local mental health organizations with time and funding.
- Reach out for help if you or someone in your life is struggling with mental health issues.
Counseling and Other Supportive Resources – not a comprehensive list, please let us know what to add
- Boulder Vet Center – US Department of Veterans Affairs: 303-440-7306 or 1-877-927-8387, 4999 Pearl East Circle, Boulder
- Community Counseling – Naropa University: serving community through affordable access. naropa.edu (search Community Counseling), 303-546-3589, 3400 Table Mesa Drive, Boulder
- Community Foundation Boulder County: Health and Human Services Funding from the Community Trusts – an annual competitive grant making fund distributing grants to Boulder County nonprofits serving the needs of citizens of Boulder County, including citizens with mental health struggles. commfound.org, 303-442-0436, 1123 Spruce Street, Boulder
- Mental Health Partners: offers a breadth and depth of programming that serve the whole person and the full spectrum of health essential to well-being. mhpcolorado.org, 303-443-8500, 1333 Iris Ave, Boulder
- Second Wind Fund of Boulder County: matches children and youth at risk for suicide with licensed therapists in their communities. www.swfbc.org, 720-962-0706, 13701 W. Jewell Ave. #251 Lakewood, 80228
- Sigmend/Open Labs: building a world where everyone with a brain condition has the hope they need to live openly. blog.sigmend.com
- Soft Voices: promotes recovery for those with mental health issues. softvoices.org, 303 776-0410, 501 5th Ave., Longmont
- Sutherland Bipolar Center: established to assist people who are unable to obtain comprehensive psychiatric and psychological services in the community. rdsfoundation.org, 303 492-5680, Sutherland Center, University of Colorado, Department of Psychology, Box 345 UCB, Boulder
- Windhorse Care: supporting recovery from mental health challenges at home and in the community since 1981. windhorsecare.com, 303-786-9313, 1200 Yarmouth Ave., Boulder
Collaborative efforts working to address the needs of people with mental illness in Boulder County
- Boulder Community Health Foundation: the building of a new wing will allow Boulder Community Health to extend mental healthcare and evolve services to meet the growing needs of our community. bch.org/mentalhealth or Grant Besser at gbesser@bch.org for more information
- Boulder Rotary, Mental Health Initiative: focused on increasing awareness and compassion while eliminating stigmas that are associated with mental illness. boulderrotary.org
- Boulder Valley Community Action Network (BVCAN): a social Justice group at BVUUF currently working on mental health access and awareness in Boulder County to all citizens. 303-665-4280, 1241 Ceres Drive, Lafayette
- Mental Health Colorado: the state’s leading advocate for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. mentalhealthcolorado.org
- National Alliance on Mental Illness – NAMI Boulder County: families, friends, and individuals coping with mental illness, members are available when you most need a helping hand through the struggles and challenges of mental illness. namibouldercounty.org, 303 443-4591 (not a crisis line)
- Supporting Action for Mental Health (SAM): a movement of local community groups, organizations, faith communities, residents, and local government working together to explore how we all can raise awareness of and take action to address mental health needs in Longmont, Julie.Phillips@LongmontColorado.gov or 303-651-8469
Upcoming events
- Erasing the Stigma of Mental Illness: Monday, Feb. 5, 7-9 p.m., Longmont United Hospital. Presented by Supporting Action for Mental Health (SAM).
- Boulder Rotary, Mental Health Initiative: hosting a five-part series on mental health with upcoming events on Feb. 26, Mar. 21, and April 30, with the fifth in May (TBD). boulderrotary.org
