News & Events
Mental Health Therapists in Jails
Jail officials are seeing results, starting with better behaved inmates.
New Technology Assists in Assessing Mental Health
The Center for Mental Health has been using Patient Tools, a handheld electronic tablet that uses trigger logic, screening and assessment metrics and key questions...to identify a wide range of behavior health concerns.
Suicide A Bigger Problem Than You Think
Suicide has touched the life of most everyone in this region, either through the death of a friend, family member, co-worker or aquaintance. The very thought that someone would want to intentionally die by their own hand, is hard for most to comprehend, let alone understand.
Program Aims at Suicide Prevention, the Man's Way
The groundbreaking new program, Man Therapy, aims to provide men approaching crisis, and their loved ones, a website to learn more about men's mental health.
Suicide Total Drops in 2012
Officials believe lower number could be result of increased awareness.
Sandy Hook Tragedy
All of our hearts are broken right now over what has happened in Connecticut. Even though a situation like this has happened clear across the country, members of our own community can be traumatized and in cases of previous community trauma, re-traumatized. Experts in trauma are quick to point out that when a tragedy involves young children, it hits us especially hard. Here are some resources that may help:
Youth Suicides Concern Delta Police Chief
DPD Chief Robert Thomas wants to take action to stop people, especially young people, from taking their own lives.
Attention, Men! Time to get Your Mental Health Act Together!
Innovative Approach to Men's Mental Health
Man Therapy, a groundbreaking new approach to suicide prevention and other men's mental health issues, will be launched in our communities during a series of two town hall meetings on November 27th.
Law Enforcement Voices Concerns about Mental Health
Recent requests by the Center for Mental Health for donations from the towns in the North Fork Valley have resulted in local law enforcement raising some unresolved issues over emergency services.
Center for Mental Health Responds
In a phone interview on Tuesday, Oct. 30, Mary Gnandt, emergency services director of the Center for Mental Health and Jon Gordon, executive director, responded to the issues raised by law enforecement.
A Manly Approach to Mental Health
Center for Mental Health Receives Grant to Fund New, Unique Program
Annual Fall Clinic is Headlined by Lecture on Leadership from Harvard Dean
Every fall for the past 41 years, Montrose Memorial Hospital has presented a Fall Clinic to give regional medical experts an opportunity to learn from their medical peers around the country. The event is also an opportunity to recognize the contributions offered by physicians and community members that make the local medical community richer and stronger.
The Center for Mental Health wins National Award
Jon Gordon accepts award from the National Council for National Council Award of Excellence for Technology
Olathe Community Clinic Gets Needed Financial Boost
The Olathe Community Clinic is getting a significant financial boost that will allow it to serve even more of the area's uninsured and underinsured population.
Olathe health chinic receives substantial funding boost
Thanks to the federal Affordable Care Act, the Olathe Community Clinic received a grant Wednesday that will supply the organization with $650,000 in additional funding annually for the next two years. . .
Tools for Successful Screening
The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare recently presented seven individuals and organizations with Awards of Excellence.
Henwood Becomes Deputy Superintendent For Montrose County School District
Henwood will replace assistant superintendent, Dr. Sheryl Solow, who announced in January, her plans to move on.
Depression is Not a Normal Part of Aging
Depression affects more than 19 million Americans every year, regarless of age, race or gender.
The Center Affaire: A Friend Raiser - Integration News
The Center Affaire: a Friend Raiser hosted by The Center for Mental Health, is a chocolate-themed, festive occasion that is celebrated yearly on the Friday before Valentine's Day. Guests experience a delightful array of scrumptious hor d'oeuvres, pastries and exquisite chocolates.
Center for Mental Health celebrates opening of new greenhouse Friday
Few people are more excited about spring than Jim Kavanaugh, who is about to see his community greenhouse project bear fruit.
For the past two years, Kavanaugh, a school counselor and therapist for the Center for Mental Health, has worked tirelessly to fund and construct a 12-foot-by-24-foot greenhouse, which he hopes will ultimately benefit the entire community.
Integration News - Quality Improvement and EBP's: Bridging Scientific Method with Behavioral Practices
Evidence Base Practices (EBPs) were featured in the Winter Quarter, 2012, Integration News, because EBPs have become the standard of practice for Integrated Care and Health Care Reform. Erica Arnold-Miller, Director, and Christine Jacobson, Business Systems Analyst, III, in the Quality Management Department at ValueOptions® Colorado, graciously followed up by researching what using EBPs mean for each Behavioral Health Organization (BHO) and how the mental health centers can use the “Plan-Do-Check-Act” Quality Improvement (QI) Model for documenting and reporting their use of EBPs; and client recovery outcomes.
1 in 4 has Mental Illness
An article in the Beacon March 2012
Many people have negative reactions when they hear the words "mental illness." They react with fear, distrust and pity. At the Center for Mental Health, we understand these reactions because of the history of treatment for people with mental illness and abundant misinformation.
Mental health is nothing to be embarrassed about
A letter to the Editor in the Gunnison Country Times on 2/2/12.
Editor:
Recently I had a very positive experience with something that I think might be difficult for some people and I'd like to share it with my community. Lately there had been something bothering me, something I felt I needed to talk to someone about. And, I was thinking that maybe that person should be a professional.
Adopted Dog Makes Lives Better
From the Gunnison Valley Animal Welfare League
Amanda Graham attaches a leash to Shadow's collar, and takes him to meet her newest client. The staff at the Center for Mental Health, where Amanda is the Program Supervisor and a licensed professional counselor, smile at the pair. Earlier, staff members and the friendly, sociable Aussie mix had gone through their usual morning greeting ritual. Now, on the leash, Shadow knows he is on the job.
As awareness rises, Montrose area suicide numbers fall
An article in the Montrose Daily Press on 2/19/12
One year has passed since an alarming rash of suicides occurred in Montrose and Delta counties early last winter, and the news is much better this year.
After 12 suicides took place in the two counties in the first four months of last year, local mental health officials said no suicides have been reported in the area in 2012.
Retired probation officer Warner earns Community Award
An article in the Montrose Daily Press
Carrol Warner, Chief Probation Officer in the 7th Judicial District for 16 years, retired this year and was honored at the Center for Mental Health's Center Affaire -- A Friend Raiser.
Resolution Aimed at Teen Suicide Prevention Efforts
A resolution sponsered by state Sen. Ellen Roberts aimed at increasing awareness of teen suicide prevention efforts emerged from the Senate Education Commitee this week and will go before the full Senate for action.
Know what to do to prevent suicide
By the end of the first four months of 2011, eight people in Montrose County and four in Delta County had taken their own lives.
Nationally there are over 30,000 suicides in the United States each year — about one completed suicide each 16 minutes and one attempt every minute.
In an effort to avert such tragedy in 2012, the Center for Mental Health is collaborating with many local caring agencies and individuals to actively inform and help the public know what to look for, what to say, and what to do to prevent suicide.
Sheriffs, Center for Mental Health team up to help inmates
From an article in the Delta County Independent
The sheriff's departments from the 7th Judicial District including Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray, and San Miguel counties, in partnership with the Center for Mental Health. have been awarded funding from the State of Colorado to provide jail-based behavioral health services to inmates while they are incarcerated.
Teaming up for Treatment
From an article in the Montrose Daily Press
The 7th Judicial District and the Center for Mental Health is poised to reduce substance abuse rates among offenders - and with that, possibly cut recidivism, as well.
Suicide Numbers are Up in Area
From an article posted on the Colorado Radio website.
The Center for Mental Health in Western Colorado has said that the suicide rates in the six county area have jumped dramatically. The highest number of suicides came from Montrose and Delta counties for the first quarter of 2011.
Suicide Rate Already as High as for All of Last Year
From an article posted on the Telluride Watch.
A huge surge in suicides during the first quarter of this year has mental health practitioners worried. If the trend continues, this could be a record-breaking year.
The Center for Mental Health says that in 2010, there were 15 suicides in the six-county coverage area of Montrose, San Miguel, Delta, Ouray, Gunnison and Hinsdale counties. Already this year, from Jan. 1 through April 25, an alarming number – 14 people – have taken their own lives. Eight suicides were in Montrose County, four in Delta County and one each in Gunnison and San Miguel. No suicides were reported from Ouray or Hinsdale counties.
Read more: Watch Newspapers - Suicide Rate Already as High as for All of Last Year
Suicide rates jump dramatically
From on article from the Delta County Independent
The Center for Mental Health has received the coroners' reports for its six-county service area of Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray, and San Miguel. The reports are for the first quarter of 2011 and show an alarming number of suicide deaths for a three-month period, especially in the counties of Montrose and Delta. Since the reports were issued, there have been two additional deaths in Montrose County.
New regional suicide numbers 'scary'
From an article posted on the Montrose Daily Press
Recent area suicide statistics reveal a "scary" increase which has mental heatlh professionals calling for community-wide prevention efforts. There have been 14 suicides across the six counties of Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray, and San Miguel since the beginning of the year. This number is alarming when considering there were 15 suicides in all of 2010 in these same six counties.
Agencies discuss suicide prevention
From an article posted on Montrose Daily Press
Representatives from nine Colorado counties attended the Youth Suicide Prevention and Intervention Symposium at the Montrose Pavilion to hear best practices that could be incorporated into their communities. The event provided school administrators, mental health specialists and community members who encounter at risk youth the tools to develop a suicide prevention program, or enhance what they may already have in place.
School-based clinics recognized for success
From an article posted on the Montrose Daily Press
During the Center for Mental Health's annual "Friend Raiser" this year, two school-based health clinics in Montrose County were recognized for providng more than 3,000 children and adults a medical home. The clinics provide integrated medical and mental health care through bilingual and bicultural services.
Partners to the project include the Montrose School District, the Center for Mental Health, and the Montrose Memorial Hospital.
Operation Round Up Helps SAFE:TEEN Save Lives
DMEA's Operation Round Up program made a $500 donation to the SAFE:TEEN program so that Center and volunteer trainers can take SAFE:TEEN on the road to schools across Delta and Montrose counties throughout the 2010/2011 school year and beyond.
Judy Schmalz, program coordinator for SAFE:TEEN, and a team of volunteer trainers provide information and training to middle and high school students to learn how to recognize the warning signs of suicidal depression and to know what to say and do to save the life of someone they care about.
Mental Health is Health
Mental Health IS Health - Your Local Resource
Have you seen the Rocky Mountain PBS TV ads? This campaign is brought to you by Colorado's mental health centers through the Colorado Behavioral Health Council and is called Mental Health IS Health. That's because part of your overall well-being and good health is your mental health.
The Center for Mental Health offers:
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment services
- Individual, family, and group therapy
- Free online mental health screenings in both English and Spanish
- Information and resources
- Free peer based services
- Free education and training
For more information call (970) 252-3225 or use the e-mail opportunity through the Contact Us menu button.
For no-cost, 24 hour emergency services, call (970) 252-6220.
Help is on the way
From the article posted on The Montrose Daily Press
The Center for Mental Health helped to plan the first "Help for Hard Times" Community Resource Fair. A review of the participant survey points to very real need and very real pain in our communities. A second community resource fair is being planned to provide information and resources to those who are struggling.
Let's address it now
From the article posted on The Montrose Daily Press:
The Center for Mental Health and Pediatric Associates have joined forces to offer a full-time mental health therapist on site at the Pediatric Clinic to provide mental health integrated care for children of all ages.
A call out to Iraq, Afghan vets
Combat trauma is a life-altering experience, and a Montrose center wants to help.
The emotions Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have after returning home are nothing to be ashamed of, explains Vietnam veteran Lee Burkins at a press conference Monday. They are issues that need to be addressed and now there is an outlet for veterans and their families in Montrose.
The Midwestern Colorado Mental Health Center has begun a program for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans that provides a safe, welcoming and confidential place to “learn to heal and carry life forward.”
Community, state partner in suicide prevention
Suicide. It’s a frightening word surrounded by stigma and misunderstanding.
When someone commits suicide, people ask why.
Here are some statistics and answers, as well as some steps toward early intervention and prevention.
Montrose Daily Press, 1-6-08: Resolutions: Don't forget the mind
From the article posted on The Montrose Daily Press:
"As people fulfill their New Year’s resolutions by exercising regularly and eating healthily, they can sometimes forget that their mental health is just as important.
“In the effort to become the best that we can be and in our commitment to self, it is imperative to understand that physical health cannot be separated from whole-body health which includes good mental health,” said Janey Sorensen, The Center for Mental Health Marketing Director."
