Giving Thought: Coming together for mental health
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Discussions about the importance of supporting mental health and well-being have increased over the years, and the pandemic underscored the critical need for more support and resources for many. For years, the tenuous state of mental health in our region has been a point of concern for many in our community. Like many mountain and rural communities, our region has high rates of substance abuse and depression, among other indicators.
Despite increased awareness about the importance of mental health, many remain unclear on where to turn when they need support or a place to improve their mental fitness. While our community is fortunate to have a number of resources available, there continues to be a lack of clarity around the type of services available and barriers to affordability. Fortunately, members of our community are coming together to bring more clarity and resources to those who need them most.
In early 2024, a group of leaders in the mental health space came together to form the Behavioral Health Leadership Group. The group, spearheaded by HeadQuarters, seeks to improve access to mental health resources and support by bringing together stakeholders to explore what might be possible through collaboration and connectivity. Its membership includes local non-profit organizations — like Mind Springs, Hope Center, FocusedKids, and A Way Out — private practitioners, local governments, law enforcement, and Aspen Valley Hospital and Valley Health Alliance, among others. Each member and organization brings a unique perspective and supports mental health and well-being at different points along the continuum.
While still developing, the group has identified several areas to focus on for broader impact. One of those areas is creating a shared language. The group members noticed that among stakeholders, there needed to be more clarity about what services each provides and how to talk about the work others are doing. Establishing more precise communication and understanding is a priority for the group.
“It is crucial to have a shared language to remove confusion from those who provide services and those looking for them. The goal is to have one central place everyone knows about to make it easy for referrals. Also, this helps with our no wrong-door mission. Every organization being familiar with and knowledgeable of the other organizations’ work strengthens the safety net,” said Angilina Taylor, executive director of HeadQuarters.
The group has also identified marketing as a need. Collectively, they are working to create a marketing strategy for the community to help raise awareness about what resources are available and ensure that those who need support can access them and know they are available.
One focus of the marketing campaign will be promoting the Mental Health Fund, a community fund that provides free or reduced rate therapy sessions for those who need financial assistance.
“We rarely have turned anyone away from the Mental Health Fund. The only reason we won’t fund a case is if we just don’t have the money,” said Taylor.
The Mental Health Fund was just awarded a $65,000 grant from the City of Aspen. Of this, $50,000 will go directly toward patients, and the remaining $15,000 will go equally toward marketing, administration costs, and the betterment or improvement of the fund.
There will be increased demand as more people become aware of the funding’s availability. Taylor believes it is important to ensure that funding supports both crisis and preventative services.
She said, “Funding for preventative mental health has been taken less seriously than funding crisis and direct services. It makes sense why funding is directed at what feels like an urgent need: We have to put out the fires, and we also have to prevent new ones from starting. The solution has to be a ‘yes and,’ it can’t be ‘this or this.'”
The Behavioral Health Leadership Group has made significant strides in coming together. They seek to build on that success by working with a facilitator to support shaping action steps and strategic direction for a long-term plan. The groundwork has been laid, and the collaborative efforts have shown signs of success.
“One of the biggest accomplishments has also been the authenticity with which people are showing up, checking egos and territorialism at the door, and honestly brainstorming the best solution for the community,” shared Taylor.
Other organizations involved echo her sentiments.
“We have all learned that none of us can do this alone,” Kayla Bailey, Aspen outpatient program director for Mind Springs Health, said at a recent community mental health event. “There is enough struggle in this valley that all of us need to be present to support our community if we are ever going to get through this. And I’m grateful for all these agencies because we serve different populations and do different things.”
As the leaders of the organizations continue to come together to improve the mental health outcomes of our community, we have the opportunity to support their efforts and those who need support by contributing to the Mental Health Fund. By coming together and sharing resources, we can show our neighbors that we are not alone.
Allison Alexander is the director strategic partnerships and communication at Aspen Community Foundation. ACF, with the support of its donors, works with a number of non-profits in the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys. Throughout the year, we will work to highlight non-profits in the region.
