Boulder County Public Health is working with community partners to improve the mental health of youth and families. Mental health is not simply the lack of mental illness. The mental health of an individual is impacted greatly by the supports that are in place in a community. Please contact us if you would like to get involved.
- Mental Health & Substance Use During COVID
- BVSD Presentation on Mental Health & Substance Abuse During the Pandemic
Action Areas
Reduce Suicide
- Promote a positive youth development (PYD) approach for youth-serving organizations throughout Boulder County
- Support programming that prioritizes reducing suicide among youth who identify as LGBTIQ
- Support evidence-based programming and policy interventions for people 6-25
- Support a more coordinated and cohesive service system for youth
Improve Early Childhood Social & Emotional Development & Reduce Post-Partum Depression
- Increase ABCD Partnership for early childhood development delays
- Increase support for families with young children
- Decrease adverse childhood experiences among young children
Decrease Stigma & Increase Capacity
Support an inclusive community, free of stigma, which demonstrates acceptance and understanding of its residents who are struggling with mental health issues.
- Increase the number of community members trained in mental health first aid
- Implement a public message campaign to decrease stigma
Support efficient and increased resources for mental health services and programs
- Support local and state policies to improve access to mental health care and supports
- Research and evaluate community options for improved navigation to mental health services and programs
2017 Mental Health & Substance Abuse Report
In 2017, a group of Boulder County organizations released a report on the state of mental health and substance use treatment services in Boulder County. Boulder County departments of Housing and Human Services, Community Services, and Public Health, as well as local behavioral health providers, nonprofits, advocacy groups, and consumers, conducted the study over several months through a collaboration known as Community of Hope, which seeks to help improve the economic, environmental, and social conditions in which people in Boulder County live.
The Community of Hope Mental Health Community Assessment identified five key focus areas to enhance prevention and treatment services for mental health and substance use in Boulder County:
- Improve timeliness and ease of access to services
- Seek to reduce stigma
- Increase early detection and health promotion
- Reduce inappropriate incarceration through improved access to and utilization of assessment and treatment services
- Increase the overall availability and range of services
