Shocking Mental Health Crisis Prompts Governor Polis to Unveil Statewide Initiative
Governor Jared Polis has recently announced the launch of Behavioral Health Secure Transportation, an initiative funded by the American Rescue Plan Act. This program aims to enhance mobile behavioral health services and ensure immediate assistance for individuals experiencing mental health emergencies.
By providing trained medical professionals and crisis experts, such as EMTs and first responders, the program aims to divert mental health cases away from hospitals and law enforcement. This approach addresses concerns voiced by police reform advocates who argue that individuals with untreated mental illness face a higher risk of confrontation with law enforcement.
In 2019, Governor Polis authorized the establishment of Colorado's Behavioral Health Task Force within the Department of Human Services. Additionally, he signed a bill in 2021 establishing the state Behavioral Health Administration, which has continued to provide funding for mental health programs aimed at improving the well-being of Colorado residents.
Despite these initiatives, the mental health crisis in Colorado has worsened since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. A staggering 29.8% of adults in the state reported symptoms of anxiety and/or major depressive disorder in 2023. Furthermore, Colorado is recognized as a Mental Health Care Health Professional Shortage Area (HSPA), indicating the scarcity of mental health care providers in the region.
Tragically, the numbers of mental health-related incidents, particularly suicides, have surged in Colorado. The state's suicide rate is almost twice the national average, both in cases involving firearms and other means. These alarming statistics emphasize the urgency of addressing the mental health crisis within the state.
Governor Polis' decision to allocate funding from the American Rescue Plan Act to expand mobile behavioral health services aims to reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and interactions with law enforcement. This approach could potentially save lives and alleviate the strain on the healthcare system.