National Mental Health Awareness Month

National Mental Health Awareness Month is celebrated every May to recognize the importance of mental health, and to battle stigma against people experiencing mental health conditions. This year’s theme, Mind Your Health, emphasizes the connection between mental health and general wellbeing.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 1 in 5 American adults experience mental health symptoms every year. However, only 41 percent of these adults seek services for their mental health conditions. Additionally, a recent study by SAMHSA showed that in 2012, individuals living at or below the Federal Poverty Level were affected by mental health conditions at a higher rate than those living at higher income levels. Colorado’s Community Health Centers (CHCs) play an important role in addressing mental health conditions in their communities—especially for the most vulnerable populations throughout the state—by providing affordable, high quality primary and behavioral health care.

CHCs offer mental health services as part of their patient-centered care model. The CHC integrated service model recognizes mental health as an important part of primary health care, and ensures that mental health is addressed as part of a patient’s overall wellbeing. CHCs provide care for all levels of mental health symptoms; from depression and anxiety to chronic mental health conditions. By providing services on site or through community partnerships, CHCs are able to offer their patients high quality care that may include case management, self-management tools, counseling, substance abuse treatment, and psychiatric services. CHCs ensure that their communities have access to mental health treatment that they can trust.

Are you interested in being part of a team that recognizes the value of mental health? CHCs throughout the state are hiring mission driven individuals to join their integrated health care teams. Check out the CHAMPS job board for more information about open positions, or visit the Colorado Community Health Network’s website to learn more about CHCs in Colorado.