DENVER – Colorado health officials at Children’s Hospital for the first time declared a pediatric mental health state of emergency across the state on Tuesday.
The crisis, health officials said, has been rearing its head for years, but was exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic as kids were forced to isolate from their peers, learn from home and experience life in an overall different way.
The hospital has seen a 90% increase in demand for behavioral health treatment in the past two years, according to a Children’s Hospital Colorado news release; Children’s CEO, Jena Hausmann, said the hospital’s emergency transport team is seeing three-to-four suicide attempts each week.
"Despite things getting better in terms of COVID-19, kids have dealt with chronic stress for the past year that has interrupted their development," Dr. Jena Glover said. "Now kids are asked to be starting back into life again, they don't have the resources to do that, they're burnt out and they feel so behind they don't know how to catch up."
If your or someone you know is struggling with mental health, we’ve put together this list of resources to help you find someone to talk to.
CALL AND TEXT:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1 (800) 273-8255
Colorado Crisis Services: 1 (844) 493-8255
The Pediatric Mental Health Institute: (720)-777-6200
WALK-IN SITES:
Aurora: 2206 Victor St., Aurora, CO 80045
Boulder: 3180 Airport Road, Boulder, CO 80301
Colorado Springs: 115 S. Parkside Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80910
Colorado Springs: 6071 E. Woodmen Rd. Ste. 135, Colorado Springs, CO 80923
Denver: 4353 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80220
Fort Collins: 1217 Riverside Ave., Fort Collins, CO 80524
Grand Junction: 515 28 3/4 Rd., Grand Junction, CO 81501
Greeley: 928 12th St., Greeley, CO 80631
Lakewood: 12055 W. 2nd Place, Lakewood, CO 80228
Littleton: 6509 S. Santa Fe Drive, Littleton, CO 80120
Montrose: 300 N. Cascade Ave., Montrose, CO 81401
Pueblo: 1310 Chinook Lane, Pueblo, CO 81001
Westminster: 2551 W. 84th Ave., Westminster, CO 80031
Wheat Ridge: 4643 Wadsworth Boulevard, Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
APPS:
Jason Foundation: A Friend Asks. The app on Android and iOS features information on suicide prevention training.
MY3: The app is targeted at those who feel suicidal or severely depressed.
ASK & Prevent Suicide: The app on Android and iOS is a helpful resource that lists warning signs, among other useful information.
HELP Prevent Suicide: The app on iOS has a simple interface and is a good resource for anybody who feels like they may need to talk.
Stay Alive: The app in Android and iOs is packed full of information and tools to help you stay safe in crisis.