The past few weeks have been challenging for behavioral health and other safety net providers. Now, more than ever, mental health is at a critical juncture. The sudden funding cuts through Health and Human Services early this month left Colorado scrambling. With more than $31 million immediately lost in funding, then some of that temporarily reinstated, it leaves the behavioral health system without the critical stability needed right now to address the ongoing community needs.

Most recently, we saw the federal budget resolution passing the House, which puts one of our biggest payors, Medicaid, at the greatest risk. More than $880 billion could be cut across programs, impacting care providers’ ability to support those in our community.

This uncertainty comes at a time when mental health is needed most by those in our communities. Medicaid funding ensures health coverage for people who would otherwise not be able to afford it, such as low-income individuals and families, youth, those who have disabilities, veterans and so many more. In Jefferson County alone, more than 80,000 individuals rely on Medicaid for live-saving
physical and mental health care.

With abrupt changes to SAMHSA, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, there are great concerns that we will not only lose more funding, but that awareness and support of behavioral health at the federal level will be diminished. SAMHSA’s prominent role at the federal level elevates the critical importance of behavioral health and wellness in individuals, families, and communities ability to thrive. This critical funding source helps supplement programs and services that are not covered by Medicaid, such as Assertive Community Treatment, homeless outreach, youth mental health services, peer-led recovery support and medication-assisted treatment, crisis response programs, and other community-based mental health services.

As a result of the recent HHS cuts, Jefferson Center immediately lost more than $800,000 of funding which went to support our mobile crisis response services, and we all felt a profound sense of loss for these life-saving programs and services. We are devastated that Jefferson Center is no longer able to provide mobile crisis response services to our communities. However, it is important to know that our Jefferson Center 24/7 crisis walk in center remains available and open to all who need it. Additionally, the statewide 988 crisis hotline remains an important resource for crisis support and 988 continues to have the ability to dispatch other mobile crisis response resources to the community as needed.

The funding cuts that have happened and that are yet to come impact every-day people, like Brian Hummel. These services are not luxury programs – they are the foundation of recovery, support and healing in our communities. While we may not know the road ahead, we continue to share the importance of advocating for mental health funding and how these crucial investments save not only money but the lives of our friends, families, coworkers, and people throughout our communities each day.

Our communities need us now. Your support is needed now. Jefferson Center needs you now. Mental health impacts us all, and you can be part of ensuring mental health care remains a core part of our community. You can be part of our work by taking action, speaking up, and giving generously to provide hope and healing through mental health care.

Kiara Kuenzler
President & CEO