The need for mental health care in the post-COVID-19 context means that more people than before are suffering from emergencies such as anxiety, depression, stress, phobias, addictions, suicidal thoughts and psychotic episodes, at a time when services and treatment providers are in short supply.
From innovative grassroots startups in Colorado Springs to state-level systems interventions to local support for funding the behavioral health sector, efforts are growing to meet these needs.
Putting high heels on the ground
Entrepreneur Nayada Moore’s ideas for promoting mental health move from concept to action with the swiftness of a superwoman.
Her thrift store, Hashtag Inc., is dedicated to promoting women’s mental health through retail therapy.
Yes, that’s right.
“We are driven by the uplifting, empowering and transformative power of clothing and are deeply committed to community work aimed at boosting confidence and self-esteem,” her company description reads.
What woman doesn’t realize that shopping can ease the pain, blow away blues, or ease anger?
Moore’s approach is closer to the “look good, feel good” model than the “shop around” mantra.
And she put on those heels not only to support herself, but to give other women the opportunity to grow while selling their products, learning new skills and networking in a spirit of sisterhood.
“It starts with the idea that dressing well makes you feel good,” says Moore, a certified life skills coach.
Initially focusing on helping women coming out of prison, she discovered she had a talent for helping them look good while also guiding them in the right direction.
Now, Moore, 31, helps women of all backgrounds not only dress for success, but also hone their financial acumen, manage stress, improve their social skills, promote themselves and develop leadership abilities.
“We teach the importance of being beautiful inside and out,” she said.
Her thrift store recently moved from its location inside Community Works, a southeast Colorado Springs nonprofit that provides free career and job placements and other assistance, to a location at 2727 Palmer Park Boulevard, just west of the indoor flea market.
Moore shares the 8,000-square-foot space with Antoine “AP” Peterson, owner and business partner of 4K Digital Media Productions.
The new store’s celebratory grand opening a few weeks ago was centered around themes of female empowerment and unity, bringing together hundreds of people across Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to shop, dance, take photos and videos, watch live artists, dine and take part in other activities.
“Today was amazing. It was so great to be surrounded by so many women who are empowered doing what they love,” one attendee said in a video Peterson recorded from the event.
Vendors representing single mothers, women fleeing domestic violence and other entrepreneurs made an average of $300 each, Moore said.
“When times are tough financially, that can definitely take a toll on mental health,” she said. “We plan to have vendor events throughout the year.”
At this thrift store, women can fill bags with clothing and accessories and have photos taken and videos made.
“When people feel good about themselves, their mental health improves,” Moore said.
There are nine different backdrops available for photoshoots, including a velvet sofa surrounded by balloons, a disco alcove filled with records, a magical birthday set and a Parisian backdrop.
The business partners do video production, podcasting and blogging.
Several events are also planned, including a black-tie gala on August 3 where doctors and financial advisors will speak about women’s mental health and well-being.
Moore also helps victims of domestic violence through free clothing and appearance training.
“We see that women are struggling to make connections and network. We are doing several initiatives and events to bring people together and empower women in the community,” she said.
Hummingbird Initiative
The Office of Behavioral Health was established two years ago as a new cabinet-led agency within the Colorado Department of Human Services to build and coordinate an effective behavioral health system, with a focus on several workforce development initiatives.
With the community needs assessed and a direction and focus determined, the program is underway with the new commissioner, Gov. Jared Polis, appointed in February, leading the work.
“Post-COVID, mental health needs are more multi-layered. For example, more young people need mental health services than ever before. But Colorado lacks enough accessible service providers in the right places at the right time,” said Lisa Weinberg, director of workforce development for Colorado State Government.
Officials also project that the current system gap will increase by 30 percent by 2030. But implementing intentional efforts to increase the workforce in this area gives hope that continued needs will be met, Weinberg said.
“What we’ve realized is a lot of our talent comes from out of state,” she said, “so our goal is to increase the number of Coloradans working in mental health care in Colorado. We want to create a workforce pipeline to where people live.”
The $4.2 million pilot program, which will run at six high schools from fiscal year 2023 through 2025, is set to be expanded if lawmakers approve additional state funding, Weinberg said.
The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and the Office of Behavioral Health Services developed the program for rural, suburban and urban schools to increase interest in careers aimed at preventing, diagnosing and treating mental illnesses, including crisis, substance use disorders and stress-related physical symptoms, and to promote diversity in the field.
A legislative leadership program to strengthen behavioral health workforce development, called the Hummingbird Initiative, will provide high school students with stackable certificates and degrees, entry-level employment and mentorship opportunities.
With an integrative health approach, interested students learned physical and mental health first aid skills such as suturing wounds, bloodletting, administering Narcan and peer support techniques. Students over the age of 18 can pursue training as certified nursing assistants and paramedics.
“This program helps students understand how mental health impacts the physical and how mental health impacts physical health and helps them understand if they would prefer to work with people on the front lines,” Weinberg said.
We also launched the first-of-its-kind Mental Health Pathways in Technology Early Colleges High School program. This pilot program will extend high school into 13th and 14th grades for students who received their diploma at the end of 12th grade.
“We work with community colleges and high schools to allow students to earn their associate degrees for free,” Weinberg said, “which extends the time students can continue to further their education in their local communities.”
The goal, she said, is to create a model that high schools can replicate using federal funding.
Similarly, under Lt. Gov. Diane Primavera’s Mental Health Youth Corps, announced a few weeks ago, the administration is developing an apprenticeship program that would allow students to work and get paid while earning college credits needed to become certified as a social worker.
The Behavioral Health Department also launched a request for proposals for health care providers to partner with the department as hub service organizations for regional networks, part of the department’s plan to improve access to health care and quality of services across the state through a coordinated system.
In a statement, Commissioner Danette R. Smith said the partnership with local groups is “a significant step toward a future where every Coloradoan is just a click or phone call away from access to high-quality, equitable behavioral health services that are deeply rooted in the unique needs of communities across the state.”
Supporting children’s mental health
Children’s Hospital Colorado’s pediatric mental health services received support through the Catalyst for Children campaign by Ent, Colorado’s largest credit union.
The fundraising drive took place throughout May, which is National Mental Health Awareness Month, and raised about $60,000, not including a $200,000 match, Ent officials said.
“The state of mental health for Colorado’s children is alarming,” said Greg Raymond, southern regional director for Children’s Hospital Colorado.
“There is a growing need to help children with mental health issues and charity work helps to tackle these issues head on,” he said.
“Community support plays a key role, and we’re grateful to the Southern Colorado community because they help us hire more professionals who will relocate to Southern Colorado to help children in crisis and make a real impact on the care they receive.”
Last year, Children’s Colorado’s network of hospitals and clinics saw more than 294,000 children and provided more than 26,000 mental health consultations.
Children’s Hospital is the only nonprofit pediatric health system in the seven-state region, and since 2019, Ent has donated nearly $2 million to the hospital network to support mental health crisis intervention, research and additional staffing.
Hundreds of people attended a pediatric mental health forum at Ent’s headquarters in Colorado Springs on May 16. Local leaders and business executives, including the city’s first lady, Abby Mobolade, spoke about the need to expand pediatric mental health services in Southern Colorado.
