The Denver Department of Public Health and Environment released a plan to improve behavioral services for those suffering from a crisis such as substance misuse, job loss or mental health issues. 

On Thursday, those efforts produced Empower Denver, which will focus on on three main goals including making city resources related to and supporting behavioral health easily accessible, making information and awareness related to and supporting access to behavioral health resource readily available and promoting consistency in how the city collects, shares, and uses data related to behavioral health. 

“The moment someone is ready to seek help to overcome behavioral health challenges, they must have access to the resources and support they need,” said Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. “It is my hope that Empowered Denver will bridge that gap, so that no one in Denver falls through the cracks in their time of greatest need.”

Following a Colorado Health Institute survey in 2019, that showed Denver residents experienced poor mental health, the “Road to Wellness: A Strategic Framework to Improve Behavioral Health in Denver” was organized and released in January 2020.

Empower Denver looks to advance that roadmap by using various strategies that have already been implemented such as mobile behavioral health units — known as Wellness Winniee.

From August to December 2020, Wellness Winnie assisted on 1,316 people, which included administering naloxone, providing transportation services, and collecting and disposing of used syringes around town, according to the release.

Sixty-nine percent of the people helped by Wellness Winnie reported experiencing unstable housing, and 40% needed assistance in finding and accessing essential resources.

Empower Denver will remain in-effect until 2023 and will also prioritize implanting a 24/7 crisis stabilization and transitional housing program, care coordination center, launching a behavioral stigma-reduction campaign, and training community members to recognize signs and symptoms of mental health conditions.

“Our many systems and resources must work together to provide comprehensive care for our residents,” said DDPHE Executive Director and Public Health Administrator Robert McDonald. “Empower Denver outlines a clear path toward collaboration and partnerships that will dovetail to better support and begin to heal those experiencing a behavioral health crisis.”

For more information about Empower Denver click here.