Isolation. Fear. Grief. The COVID-19 emergency can bring up challenging emotions, and for many of us, the stress and uncertainty may lead to anxiety, depression or an increased reliance on substances.
You are not alone. The Colorado Department of Human Services, Office of Behavioral Health is working closely with providers to continue essential mental health and substance use services, and our two Mental Health Institutes continue to deliver quality care while following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-recommended steps to keep patients and staff safe.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, we are here to support you:
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Get Help Now: Immediate support through Colorado Crisis Services is just a phone call or a text away. Call 1-844-493-8255 or text TALK to 38255 to speak with a trained professional about mental health, substance use or emotional concerns. They can connect you to resources in your community and recommend next steps.
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Find a Behavioral Health Provider: Substance use and mental health providers throughout the state are generally open for business with appropriate modifications. Find a provider, and be sure to call first to understand how they are currently delivering services.
To protect clients and staff from infection, providers are following recommended guidelines on social distancing and have moved many services to telehealth. Studies show that talking to professionals over video chat can be just as effective as in-person visits. For any services that need to be delivered in person, such as at walk-in centers, providers may be able to lend you a tablet or laptop at their facility to do video conferencing or speak to you from a safe distance. Please follow any guidance posted at the facility.
We're in this together
By continuing these vital services, behavioral health care providers can reduce the burden on emergency rooms and hospitals as they respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. Learn more about OBH's response to COVID-19. Providers can use this Google form to submit notices of service modifications or questions for OBH.