Today, Governor Jared Polis (D-CO) signed the “Continuing Youth Mental Health Services Program” bill, which indefinitely extends a program that provides six free counseling sessions to K-12 students.
“Many of Colorado’s children struggle with mental health issues, and I Matter has been incredibly helpful in supporting them,” said Sen. Lisa Cutter (D-Colo.) “By expanding this successful program, we are furthering our commitment to addressing these needs and ensuring all children can receive the mental health care they deserve, without putting too much strain on themselves or their families.”
A counseling program called “I Matter” has more than 150 licensed therapists who offer telehealth and in-person consultations. Telehealth consultations with licensed therapists can be scheduled immediately or within two weeks. There is also a crisis hotline for children through Colorado Crisis Services.
“I Matter has been a huge success for Colorado students, reducing youth suicide rates for the first time in a decade, but we must do more to address the mental health crisis afflicting our kids,” Sen. Daphna Michaelson Jennett (D-Colo.) said in a press release. “That’s why it’s so important to make the I Matter program permanent. This important tool is a game-changer, and I’m pleased to see this bill become law, ensuring Colorado students have access to the free mental health care they need to thrive.”
After a child receives six free counseling sessions, “I Matter” verifies that the provider accepts Medicaid or the patient’s insurance. Rutinel said children’s mental health services shouldn’t be dependent on a parent’s income, and the program gives students the opportunity to receive cost-effective therapy sessions.
“Extending the I Matter program furthers our commitment to ensuring young people have access to the behavioral and mental health care they need,” said Rep. Manny Rutinel (D-Adams). “Free therapy breaks down access barriers for young people and their families. Since its implementation, the I Matter program has provided more than 50,000 essential therapy sessions. This legislation will continue this successful and important program and ensure that the needs of young people are addressed.”
According to the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNCIEF), “more than one in seven adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 in the United States are living with a mental illness.”
“By signing this bill, we will ensure that young people can receive treatment when they need it, free of charge, through our groundbreaking I Matter program,” said Rep. Kyle Brown (D-12th District). “Over the years, the I Matter program has connected more than 11,000 kids to treatment services for anxiety, depression, substance use disorders and other mental health issues. Programs like I Matter remove barriers to access and help young people get the behavioral and mental health care they need.”
Since its launch in 2021, about 36,000 I Matter appointments have been made, with 8,000 children participating in at least one support session, according to the program.
