Denver can and should help those with mental health needs
It is hard to live in Denver and not see the effect of mental illness and substance abuse on our community. It is visible on our streets, in our schools, in the news and at our workplaces.
We are supporting Caring 4 Denver because we know that we can do something to change this — and we should.
Caring 4 Denver will appear at the end of ballots in Denver as Initiated Ordinance 301 and will be a onequarterof 1 percent sales and use tax increase (25 cents on a $100dollar purchase), and raise $45 million per year, to be used for improving the quality, availability and affordability of community based mental health and addiction care in Denver.
Services that could be supported include counseling, inpatient treatment, school services and prevention programs. The funds will be managed by an independent board of stakeholders in mental health and addiction services.
We read, hear and watch these stories and know that Denver can do better. Caring 4 Denver has asked people to tell us about their power and our collective power, through our #PowerTo campaign and the feedback has been both heartbreaking and hopeful.
Melanie Stritch, a local mom in recovery, told us about her family history of mental illness and alcoholism and the stigma that comes with being an addict and in seeking help. She knows that we have the power to end that stigma.
Adam Lerner, director of the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, told us the story of fellow artist, Colin Ward, who died by suicide after struggling with mental illness. Ward was the occupant, creator and outsized creative mind behind Rhinoceropolis, a legendary DIY venue. That space was closed due to code issues and its tenants evicted, losing what many in the arts community say was a critical antidote for Ward’s challenges. Lerner knows we have the power to act.
And Alan Smith wrote and performed a song with his daughter to show us that we all have the power to make it.
Throughout the campaign we are sharing these stories because it is important that we all see our neighbors and our friends. It is vital that we see them as part of our community because in hiding, nothing can change.
Perhaps the most critical change that can come through passing Caring 4 Denver is the conversations that happen about mental illness and substance use, which often go hand in hand.
Denver has faced an increase of nearly 1,000 percent in heroin deaths since 2002 and reports three opioid overdoses per day. Most tragic of all, a key reason that those in Denver in the grip of a mental health or addiction crisis do not get the treatment they need is simply because they are uninsured and/or cannot afford services. Suicide now kills more young people in Colorado than car accidents. We cannot and should not accept this.
That is also why we have a broad, diverse group of individuals and organizations supporting Caring 4 Denver that includes law enforcement, health agencies, faith groups, education advocates and more. Denver Mayor Michael Hancock has also recently endorsed Caring 4 Denver.
Ensuring there are services for people who need them and reducing the stigma around mental health will have an impact on crime, productivity, and our sense of wellbeing and happiness.
Denver is said to be one of the best cities and one of the fittest places but we also have one of the highest suicide rates in the country. We really do have the #PowerTo help and voting “yes” for Caring 4 Denver is the next step. Ordinance #301 will be at the bottom of your ballot in Denver but it should be a top priority. Leslie Herod represents the 8th District in the Colorado House of Representatives. Carl Clark, MD, is president and CEO of the Mental Health Center of Denver.