Mental Health

COVID-19 Mental Health Resources
click here to be taken to mental health resources specific to COVID-19

Crisis Services

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, use one of these resources to get immediate help.

Colorado Crisis Services
Confidential and immediate support for anyone in crisis, whether they are struggling with relationship problems, mental health issues, suicidal thoughts, stress, bullying, anxiety or depression, etc.
Call: 1-844-493-TALK (8255)
Visit: “Chat Now” at coloradocrisisservices.org
Text: TALK to 38255
Crisis Text Line
Text anonymously with a trained crisis counselor any time you’re in crisis for any reason. Counselors help those who text them stay calm and safe until they can get further help.
Text: “CO” to 741741
Mind Springs Health Local Crisis Line
Call for support during a mental health or substance abuse crisis or simply call to learn about local services.
Psychiatric Emergency: 970-201-4299
For general information (non emergency): 970-241-6023
Visit: https://mindspringshealth.org/crisis-services/
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Free and confidential support for anyone who is having suicidal thoughts, prevention and intervention resources for anyone who wants to help a friend or family member in distress, and support for mental health professionals.
Call: 1-800-273-8255
Visit: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org and click “CHAT”

Report a Safety Issue

Safe2Tell
Safe2Tell is completely anonymous and will immediately send your tip to 911 and school security and administration. Safe2Tell can be used to report a number of issues, including but not limited to bullying, suicidal thoughts, assault, substance abuse, sexual assault, eating disorders, or a school shooting threat.
Call: 1-877-542-7233
Visit: www.safe2tell.org
Download: The Safe2Tell app is available from Apple or Google.

Find Ongoing Mental Health Treatment

Finding ongoing mental health support can be critical for wellbeing. Often one of the first considerations parents have in looking for ongoing support is finding a provider that takes their insurance. We have compiled the Valley's most common insurance providers and provided links to those insurance companies' provider directories.

Aetna
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Cigna
Colorado's Medicaid Program: Health First Colorado
Medicare
Rocky Mountain Health Plans
Tricare
UMR

If you do not want to go through an insurance provider Psychology Today has a database of local mental health providers.

Links & Helpful Websites for General Mental Health Information

Child Mind Institute
An independent, national nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of children and families struggling with mental health and learning disorders.
Visit: www.childmind.org
NAMI
The National Alliance on Mental Illness is the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness through education, advocacy, a toll-free help line and raising public awareness.
Call: 970-462-3989
Visit: www.namiws.org
Teen Line
A nonprofit organization helping troubled teenagers address their problems through teen-to-teen education and support before problems become a crisis, using a national hotline, current technologies and outreach.
Call: 310-855-4673
Text:839863
Visit: www.teenlineonline.org
The Center
Provides a safe, child-friendly environment to facilitate the interviewing of children who are victims of abuse and neglect as well as providing direct, supportive services to victims and families.
Call:970-245-3788
Visit: www.wscchildren.org
Western Slope 211
A free, confidential, information and referral service connecting people in need to important local community resources.
Call: 1-888-217-1215
Visit: www.wc211.org
Get the app in the Apple or Google Play Store. Also, check out their Guide to Adulting for young adults venturing out on their own.

Links & Helpful Websites for Suicide Prevention

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
raises awareness, funds scientific research and provides resources to those affected by suicide.
American Association of Suicidology
A tip sheet for parents about suicide & social media
Media Guidelines
Recommended Practices for Reporting on Suicide
Suicide Prevention Resource Center

There are many resources for kids and adults with mental health concerns. Your child can also find help at school by talking to a trusted adult, seeing a school counselor, or anonymously reporting a concern to safe2tell.org, which will send the report to school administration, school safety personnel, and law enforcement.

Other District 51 mental health resources include:

  • A Crisis Intervention Team responds to a school impacted by the death of a student or staff member or any other crisis. The group brings extra counselors that remain at impacted schools as long as needed and enlists administrative staff to help.
  • Numerous schools host grief groups organized by HopeWest.
  • A growing number of D51 schools have Sources of Strength, which is a year-round, peer-led program featuring activities aimed at combatting bullying and suicide.
  • Riding the Waves teaches all District 51 fifth-graders about building healthy emotional skills to help combat suicidal ideation early.
  • Signs of Suicide, a suicide prevention and depression awareness program, is offered twice a year in all middle and high school grades.

PHS photo

  • A student-organized Kindness is Contagious Week takes place in all District 51 high schools during a week in February, encouraging students to be kind, talk about mental health and suicide prevention, and promote anti-bullying behaviors
  • Suicide prevention posters, which include information about how to contact someone when you or a friend is in crisis, in all middle and high school bathroom stalls, hallways, and counseling offices.
  • Suicide prevention training for all staff members who have contact with students. Hundreds of teachers also have been trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid, an eight-hour “gatekeeper” training.
  • The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers a presentation about mental health and suicide called Ending the Silence to small groups in some schools.