COLORADO SPRINGS — Colorado gets a “C” for its efforts to battle mental illness, a higher mark than the nation as a whole but certainly nothing to brag about, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
The state was lauded for its “vision” in integrating behavioral health services – specifically because of a state task force that has made recommendations on how to improve mental health treatment. But, like other states, Colorado lacks programs and funding for mental health services, especially for the uninsured, said the organization, which represents the mentally ill and their families.
States were graded based on four areas: health promotion and measurement; financing and core treatment/recovery services; consumer and family empowerment; and community integration and social inclusion.
Colorado received its highest mark, a “B,” for its financing and core treatment/recovery services, but it earned an “F” for health promotion and measurement.
The nation received a “D.”
Mental health has been a pressing public policy issue in Colorado Springs. Colorado has one of the nation’s highest suicide rates, and Colorado Springs was ranked No. 2 in the nation for suicides a few years ago in a health inventory of major cities.
This comes as the city grapples with a rise in cases of post traumatic stress syndrome and traumatic brain injuries as Fort Carson soldiers return home from war.
Mental health is also a key theme among the city’s homeless population as the city tries new approaches to getting people off the streets.
