Early Intervention

As December 6, 2022 comes closer on the calendar, as known as Colorado Gives Day, many residents of this state consider carefully which charities they will support.  Since 2010, Coloradans have the opportunity on the first Tuesday of December to ban together to make a difference by supporting nonprofits across the state that impacts their neighbors and themselves. One area that must be considered is with respect to mental health and Colorado’s access to mental health services. Rise Phoenix Rise, Inc. (https://www.risephoenixrise.org) is one organization based in Colorado that offers mental wellness services, it is a peer-run animal-assisted wellness program, to residents for low to no cost.

According to the 2021 Colorado Health Access Survey (CHAS), which looks at many different dimensions, 23.7% of respondents reported eight or more days in the past 30 days as “poor mental health days”.  The numbers of individuals who stated they talked to someone about these mental health issues in the past 12 months were low, 18.9% talked to a general doctor or primary care physician about their own mental health concerns while only 16.4% spoke with a provider who specializes in mental health or substance use. When questioned about whether in the past 12 months there was a time that mental health services were needed but were not received, 14.1% people endorsed this option. The reasons cited varied and included a concern about the cost of treatment (58.3), did not feel comfortable speaking with a health professional about personal problems (44.2%), concern about what would happen if someone would happen if someone found out you had a problem (23.9%), did not think health insurance would cover it (70.0%), did not seek appointment because uninsured (83.2%), and had a hard time getting an appointment (44.8%). In the same time frame only 1.9% of respondents endorsed during the past 12 month there being a time when they needed treatment or counseling for alcohol or drug use but did not get it at the time (https://www.coloradohealthinstitute.org/research/colorado-health-access-survey-2021).

Early intervention of mental health services is essential to an effective and efficient recovery.  Mental Health First Aid (https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/2021/06/the-importance-of-early-intervention-for-people-facing-mental-health-challenges/) stated that stigma, lack of access to care, or simply not knowing where to find the resources are factors that might delay acquisition of mental health care. However, it is vital to seek and receive care at the earliest onset of symptoms for the best outcome. MHFA asserted that this early intervention can lead to a more complete recovery and alleviate many societal and systemic problems (https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org/2021/06/the-importance-of-early-intervention-for-people-facing-mental-health-challenges/).  

Unfortunately, a current incident that happened in Colorado Springs where there was a history of problematic, dangerous behaviors being exhibited, but maybe not the early recognition or intervention of mental health services happened just before Thanksgiving at the Club Q nightclub.  The alleged shooter in this case had escalating incidents of dangerous police interactions including a bomb threat against his mother, two counts of felony menacing, and three counts of first degree kidnapping (https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/23/us/colorado-springs-club-q-shooting-wednesday/index.html). It is unclear about whether and to what extent mental health intervention was sought for this individual.  Programs such as Rise Phoenix Rise, Inc. (https://www.risephoenixrise.org) is not set-up to intervene when the behaviors are this extreme, but early intervention, before it escalates to this point, is essential.

Rise Phoenix Rise, Inc. (https://www.risephoenixrise.org) marries the evidence-based practices of peer support and animal assisted therapy to help individuals navigate through the complex journey of mental health and/or substance use struggles to recovery. In order for continued programming, RPR needs continued support from our community, our neighbors, our peers. Expecting to change the course of such tragedies such as Club Q is a bit out of the scope of what RPR can do, but little by little change can be made. So, when sitting down to consider Colorado Gives Day, consider a program like Rise Phoenix Rise, Inc.