Yet again, there’s troubling news about mental health in our state — and it demands a response.

As reported last week in The Gazette, Colorado has endured nearly the worst rate in the nation of mental illness among children and adults for two years in a row. That’s according to the newly released findings of the annual State of Mental Health in America report. The authoritative survey’s 2025 edition ranks Colorado second to last among U.S. states and the District of Columbia due to our state’s high prevalence of mental health conditions. 

Compare that with a decade ago, when the first State of Mental Health in America study was published: Colorado had the 16th lowest prevalence of behavioral health concerns. It’s a dramatic and profoundly disturbing turnabout. Indeed, this year’s report notes that 28% of Colorado’s population, over one in four, suffer from some type of mental health issue.

Significantly, Colorado also ranks 50th worst in the country in the new report for substance abuse of alcohol and drugs by adults. Sadly, there’s no surprise in that, either. 

Colorado’s years-long travails with legalized recreational marijuana and, more recently, the decriminalization of hallucinogens, have been a game changer — in a very bad way — for mental health. And that’s not to mention the other ill effects of substance abuse, such as its contribution to the tragic carnage on Colorado roadways.

One bright spot in the report: Our state’s suicide rate for children 10-18 years old fell last year to its lowest level since 2007, with 39 suicides among adolescents. Each of those deaths, of course, was devastating to the lives of the surviving loved ones around them. Yet, the number also stands in stark contrast to Colorado’s 87 adolescent suicides in 2020, the worst year on record.

The good news is there is help available and more on the way. A consortium of mental health providers, public agencies, civic and political leaders and philanthropic foundations, among others, has been developing a response in recognition of the crisis.

The Gazette’s report points out the wide-ranging work of the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration, established by the legislature in 2022. New programs resulting from its efforts include the 9-8-8 Colorado Mental Health Line, which combined the nationwide 9-8-8 phone line and the Colorado Crisis Line into one 24/7 hotline. Those facing a mental health or other challenge can dial or text 988 to talk live with a specialist.

There’s also “I Matter,” (IMatterColorado.com,) which offers up to six free therapy sessions to anyone under 18 in Colorado. More than 17,000 youths from all 64 counties have used the program for mental health assistance since it launched it 2021.

And there’s Colorado LIFTS (Linking Individuals and Families to Services), bringing together crisis, mental health and substance use support under one umbrella. It especially aids those who don’t have insurance or whose insurance won’t cover the mental health treatment needed.

On another front, meanwhile, The Anschutz Foundation has committed a $50 million challenge gift to launch the CU Anschutz Campus Mental Health Collaborative, with the goal of raising an unprecedented $200 million. The new collaborative will strengthen crisis response, support first responders, and and deliver services where people need them most — in a classroom, a hospital, a workplace, at home.

It’s inspiring to see that Coloradans are coming together to cure what ails mental health in our state. There’s much work to be done as we all reach out to those in need — including our families, our friends and ourselves.