Page 55 - Nov CP Connection proof

Closing the gaps in available services – Douglas County Mental Health Initiative
By Lynne Marsala Basche
The belief that nonprofit organizations strengthen our community, combined with faith in our readership and humanity in general that we all have talents to share, The Castle Pines Connection is committed to featuring a different local organization each month. This month we highlight the Douglas County Mental Health Initiative.
You may be struggling. Someone you know could be suffering. In fact, one in five adults and adolescents will be diagnosed with a mental health issue in their lifetime. In 2014, after seeing a spike of various mental health issues in Douglas County, officials recognized the need to increase community mental health resources.
With the increasing widespread growth of mental illness, the Douglas County Mental Health Initiative (DCMHI) was created with a goal to marshal local public health agencies to work closely with each other and look at mental health needs that might be going unmet, which could lead to potential tragedies. With questions like “Are services as coordinated as they could be?” “Are people falling through the cracks?” and “Do gaps exist in available services that we could collectively address?” the group determined what could be done to more efficiently connect people with the best mental health services by working together to streamline access.
Currently, the DCMHI has 37 members, including the Douglas County School District, the district attorney’s office, Tri-County Health, local law enforcement agencies, area hospitals, Douglas County government, behavioral health facilities, Douglas County Youth Initiative, and various public health resources.
The need for mental health support continues
to grow, but it is also always changing. “This
is a program that is meant to evolve as we keep our fingers on the pulse of the community,”
said Anne Mosbach, DCMHI coordinator. “As community needs change, the DCMHI will shift to meet those needs.”
When asked what she wanted readers to know about the DCMHI, Mosbach said, “We want people to be aware that these resources exist and ongoing efforts are happening.” More importantly, Mosbach stressed that the stigma surrounding mental health needs to change. Mental health conditions do not discriminate, can be treated and are no different than physical afflictions.
When mental health issues are left untreated,
the potential for impact beyond the affected
the person is possible, including families and communities. There is no shame in getting help, and in Douglas County, the DCMHI continues its focus on supporting ongoing efforts.
We invite readers to send
suggestions for nonprofit
organizations to feature. Email editor@castlepinesconnection.com.
We look forward to learning more
and sharing information about nonprofits in our community throughout the year.
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