I’ve heard from thousands of Coloradans over the last two months, their lives turned upside down by the pandemic. My team and I have been connecting them with resources.

The text I got yesterday troubled me the most. It came from Linda in Aurora:

I reached out to Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners, a team of mental health professionals and peer specialists who staff Colorado’s 24/7 crisis and support line. They gave Linda the counseling she needed right away (we’re staying in touch).

When it comes to mental health care, a phone call is just the beginning. We must transform the system itself—especially now, as more and more Americans find themselves at risk.

That’s a task not only for lawmakers but for all of us. It means investing in prevention and early intervention, integrating mental health and primary care, and ending the use of prisons and jails as warehouses for those who face a mental health or substance use disorder.

Here’s what you can do today: if you or someone you know needs help, please call 844-493-8255 or text “TALK” to 38255. The service is free, confidential, and available in multiple languages.

This crisis has already caused too many casualties. Let’s do everything we can to reduce the toll.

Andrew Romanoff

We’re doing our part to help Coloradans in need.
You can too—go to covrn.com.