2011 Status Report

The Status of Behavioral Health Care in Colorado is a 200+ page assessment and critical analysis of Colorado’s systems for delivering mental health and SUD care authored by TriWest Group. It features seven observations regarding access to care gleaned from comprehensive research, and long-term recommendations for behavioral health stakeholders in the state to consider. The report also provides comprehensive data on a variety of factors impacting mental health, SUD and overall health care in Colorado.

To create The Status of Behavioral Health Care in Colorado, TriWest interviewed 89 key informants actively involved in mental health and SUD treatment delivery and policy development, including members of the Behavioral Health Transformation Council; updated data from the 2003 report to include more information on SUD services and current data on mental health care; examined the overall findings and lessons learned from the six ACMHC grantee projects; and completed an extensive literature review of key issues identified through ACMHC’s work.

Seven Observations from The Status of Behavioral Health Care in Colorado

1. Coordination and integration of services have improved, but are needed more than ever.
2. Many people still cannot access needed care – despite some gains and the hope of health reform.
3. Overall, funding for mental health services continues to be insufficient to meet overall needs, and funding for SUD services and prevention is even less sufficient; however the situation has somewhat improved.
4. Improved integration of services is required to slow cost increases and improve health outcomes.
5. There is increasing evidence about which behavioral health services work, and those that work are somewhat more available to Coloradans.
6. There are too few providers – and the need is growing.
7. Prioritization of resilience and recovery is still needed.

Click here to download the 2011 Status Report.

If you are interested in ordering a hard copy of The Status of Behavioral Health Care in Colorado, please contact us.

When referencing this report, please use the following citation: TriWest Group. (2011). The Status of Behavioral Health Care in Colorado – 2011 Update. Advancing Colorado’s Mental Health Care: Caring for Colorado Foundation, The Colorado Health Foundation, The Colorado Trust, and The Denver Foundation: Denver, CO.