Business Details
Your Trusted Mental Health Advocacy Partner in Colorado
Mental Health Colorado is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to promoting healthier minds across the lifespan for all Coloradans. Founded with a mission to pass laws, change practices, and build a movement, we focus on disentangling mental health from criminal justice, expanding access to care, and fostering grassroots advocacy. Our policy leadership has secured landmark legislation, including mental health parity requirements and statewide crisis response systems. We champion integration of mental health care into primary care, address workforce shortages in rural areas, and advocate for trauma-informed school safety practices.Through initiatives like Care Not Cuffs, we unite leaders and communities to improve health outcomes while preserving public safety. Our work spans early childhood mental health toolkits, school mental health programs, and legislative advocacy to ensure equitable access to care. With a team of experienced professionals, we engage policymakers, providers, and the public to end discrimination and build supportive systems for mental well-being.
Services
Policy Advocacy
Legislative Reform
School Mental Health Programs
Community Initiatives
Crisis Response Systems
Highlights and features
- We have secured landmark mental health legislation since 2020.
- Our grassroots advocacy network spans all Colorado counties.
- We implement trauma-informed school safety practices statewide.
- Our Care Not Cuffs initiative reduces criminal justice system involvement.
- We develop evidence-based toolkits for early childhood and school mental health.
Services
Policy Advocacy
We drive systemic change through mental health policy advocacy, focusing on disentangling mental health from criminal justice, expanding care access, and promoting equity. Our efforts include drafting legislation, mobilizing grassroots campaigns, and collaborating with policymakers to implement sustainable solutions. This work ensures mental health remains a priority in state and local governance.
Care Not Cuffs
This initiative reduces criminal justice system involvement for mental health crises by promoting alternative response models. We advocate for co-responder programs, mobile crisis teams, and policy changes that prioritize health-based solutions over incarceration. The program educates leaders and communities on effective, compassionate approaches to mental health crises.
School Mental Health Toolkit
Our toolkit provides schools with 10 best practices for implementing mental health services, including funding strategies and sustainability frameworks. Designed for educators and districts, it addresses prevention, early intervention, and resource allocation to support student mental well-being in K-12 environments.
Community Programs
We develop community-based programs like the Safer transitional shelter, which provided housing and support for individuals with mental health conditions. These initiatives focus on disentangling health needs from criminal justice systems, offering wraparound services, and advocating for systemic funding solutions to sustain impactful projects.
Public Education
We offer mental health screenings, wellness tips, and educational resources to empower individuals and communities. Our tools address anxiety, depression, substance use, and workplace health, promoting early intervention and reducing stigma through accessible, evidence-based information and community engagement.
People
Vincent Atchity
President & CEO
Vincent leads Mental Health Colorado's advocacy efforts, focusing on legislative reform and systemic change. With extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, he prioritizes disentangling mental health from criminal justice and expanding equitable care access across Colorado.
Wendy Buxton-Andrade
Vice President, Government Affairs
Wendy directs government relations strategies, advocating for mental health policy at state and local levels. Her work focuses on legislative reforms to improve crisis response systems, school mental health programs, and equitable healthcare access for all Coloradans.
David McLaughlin
Chief Operating Officer
David oversees daily operations, ensuring efficient implementation of advocacy programs and community initiatives. He brings decades of nonprofit management experience to support Mental Health Colorado's mission of systemic mental health reform.
Questions
What is Mental Health Colorado's primary mission?
We advocate for systemic mental health reform through legislation, policy changes, and community initiatives to improve access to care and disentangle mental health from criminal justice in Colorado.
How can I get involved with your advocacy efforts?
Join our Brain Wave newsletter, participate in grassroots campaigns, volunteer, or intern with us to support mental health policy reform across Colorado.
Do you provide direct mental health services?
We are an advocacy organization, not a service provider. For emergencies, call 911 or visit our resources page for immediate support options.
What legislative successes have you achieved?
We secured mental health parity laws, established statewide crisis response systems, and passed trauma-informed school safety legislation to improve mental health access and equity.
How do you support schools' mental health needs?
Our School Mental Health Toolkit provides 10 best practices for implementing and funding mental health services in K-12 schools across Colorado.
