Veterans behavioral health program announced

The Colorado Department of Human Services has announced a new behavioral health program that will connect veterans in distress to follow-up support through Colorado Crisis Services.

The program will work with hospitals and other health care providers across the state to identify veterans who have experienced a mental health or substance use crisis involving suicidal ideation and could benefit from additional support. Veterans will be paired with a trained crisis or peer support specialist, who is a fellow veteran, to ensure they continue care, begin outpatient treatment and receive support during a period of heightened risk.

Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera, Rep. Jason Crow (CO-6), Office of Behavioral Health director Robert Werthwein and Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners vice president of clinical operations Cheri Skelding spoke at the virtual event recently, underscoring the urgent need for behavioral health services for Colorado veterans. Maj. Gen. Michael Loh, the adjutant general of Colorado and executive director of the Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, also participated via video message. Veterans are more likely to experience post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries, depression and anxiety than civilians and die by suicide at higher rates.

“Veterans experiencing behavioral health crises often end up at emergency rooms for care, and research shows they are especially vulnerable in the first week following discharge,” said Primavera. “By providing personal support during that time, we can put more veterans on the path to mental wellness and significantly reduce the likelihood of an additional suicide attempt.”

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