Mental Health Awareness Month is a significant national event that brings attention to the importance of mental health. Since its inception in 1949, this month has served as a cornerstone for addressing the challenges faced by millions of Americans living with mental health conditions. The goal is to raise awareness about the mental and behavioral health and substance use crisis gripping our country.
During Mental Health Awareness Month, Mind Springs Foundation will be actively participating in this national movement. We are dedicated to raising awareness, extending support, eliminating stigma, and fostering public education.
Let’s help break the stigma together. Mental health is important at all stages of life for all people! Join us in a month-long journey of prioritizing mental well-being and fostering a culture of understanding, support, and resilience.
Other Resources:
Mental Health Awareness Month | NAMI
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay: Tips and Resources for Mental Health Awareness Month | SAMHSA
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Learn more about Neva’s journey From Rock Bottom to Role Model.
“Having people believe in me at Mind Springs was crucial to my recovery journey. The personalized support and encouragement kept me from giving up on the days I did not believe I would make it.”
Out of Colorado’s 64 counties, 24 are designated as rural or frontier (77% of all counties).
Rural Mental Health and West Springs Hospital
West Springs psychiatric hospital alongside our Psychiatric Emergency Department are Colorado’s primary resource for psychiatric hospitalization in Northwest Colorado and the Western Slope.
When patients can be seen closer to home it decreases stress and delays in treatment. Getting treatment closer to home also allows for better wrap around services and larger support systems with friends and family. Finally, the financial strain is lessened when care is nearer to home in regard to missed wages for work, travel, accommodations, and more.
DID YOU KNOW? According to the Colorado Rural Health Center’s 2024 Snapshot of Rural Health, Colorado’s frontier and rural communities have the highest rates of suicide. Suicides have significantly increased in rural areas from 134 in 2010 to 202 in 2021.
The report also highlights that mental health among adults is worse in rural areas, coupled with limited access to mental health providers. There is only 1 mental health provider for every 1,282 residents in rural Colorado, versus 1 provider per 755 residents in urban areas.
Emergency room visits from 2021-22 for overdose involving all drugs in rural areas was 202.2 compared with 209.6 in all of Colorado.
West Springs Hospital serves clients from Mind Springs Health’s 10-county catchment area, as well as surrounding areas that lack access to critical behavioral health care due to geographic location and rural or frontier designation.
