(COLORADO SPRINGS) — May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Ent Credit Union is launching a fundraising campaign for Children’s Hospital Colorado to support children’s mental health.
“Children’s mental health in Southern Colorado, and specifically in Colorado, is at a difficult time,” said Greg Raymond, director of Children’s Hospital Colorado and Southern Colorado Care System. “We have to be vigilant about what’s going on. If you look at El Paso County compared to the other four most populous counties in the state, since 2000 El Paso County has had a County, we have twice as many youth suicides compared to Jefferson County. That’s unacceptable.”
Raymond also said more than 40% of local youth report depression severe enough to alter their daily lives for two or more consecutive weeks, compared to a statewide average of 30%.
“And more than 20 percent have seriously considered suicide, compared to the statewide average of just over 17 percent. The situation is dire,” Raymond said.
Raymond said El Paso County’s above-average morbidity rate is largely due to the region being a “mental health desert.” This means that while the demand for services is increasing, there are not enough providers to meet that need. Ent wants to help change this. ENT said it has donated nearly $2 million to Children’s Colorado since 2019 specifically for mental health support.
“Right now, we’re inviting the community to get involved,” said Annie Snead, Ent’s senior manager of community advocacy. “During the month of May, we will match dollar for dollar up to $200,000 across Colorado.” The campaign is called “2024 Catalyst for Children.”
Raymond said the donation will allow them to hire more professionals and provide more care in the community.
Donations can be made by scanning the QR code above, at Ent.com, or by visiting any of Ent’s service locations. Ent is also offering incentives to donors throughout this month, including a chance to win tickets to the Red Rocks show on Tuesday, June 11th.
Parents who are concerned about their child’s mental health are encouraged to seek immediate care. “Don’t wait,” Raymond said. “Seek the services you need and contact your pediatrician or primary care physician immediately. If you feel you are at any risk, please seek the appropriate level of care whenever possible.”
