Possible solutions

Experts say there are ways Colorado can improve mental health treatment: • Re-evaluate Colorado’s involuntary commitment law regarding mental health professionals’ authority to hold patients for psychiatric evaluation. Now, patients must pose an “imminent danger” of harm to themselves or others, or be gravely disabled. Some states have less restrictive language. • Create more partnerships between primary care doctors and mental health professionals, allowing patients to get treatment for mental and physical issues in the same exam room. • Increase funding for community mental health clinics to cut down on waiting lists for care. • Create parity in insurance reimbursement for mental health care providers, which are reimbursed at lower rates than other medical care. • Increase support for additional crisis centers as al- ternatives to mental health care in hospital emergency departments. • Expand Court to Community programs around the state for people who are frequently arrested for crimes related to mental illness. • Improve coordination between court, law enforcement, public health and transportation agencies so people with mental illness do not cycle through without help. • Support affordable housing projects that help people who are homeless and have mental illness. • Expand mental health screenings for children as part of annual primary care checkups. • Increase support for school-based health clinics for prevention and treatment.