A Word about Western Slope Crisis Response Services
News about recent changes to the way that crisis response services are funded and delivered on the Western Slope has raised some questions. We hope this will provide answers.
Are Mind Springs Health and West Springs Hospital Closing?
No, Mind Springs Health and West Springs Hospital are not going anywhere. Mind Springs Health has not and will not abandon this community. As long as we have the resources to meet the need, we will do everything we possibly can to help people struggling with mental illness receive the care they deserve.
We are committed to working with our community partners to make sure that the behavioral health safety net is there for those who need it when they need it. As long as we have the resources to meet the need, we will do everything we possibly can to help people struggling with mental illness receive the care they deserve.
How are crisis response services provided in Colorado?
Following the Aurora Theatre shooting in 2012, the State of Colorado added funding specifically targeted to mobile crisis response, respite, and walk-in centers. The State contracts with 7 different Administrative Service Organizations (ASO) to administer the crisis funds.
In 2014, the State of Colorado created a state-wide crisis services program. The State contracted West Slope Casa to provide western slope crisis response services including a 24-7 walk-in crisis center in Grand Junction, respite services and mobile crisis response. West Slope Casa engaged Mind Springs Health to operate those crisis services across the 10-county area that Mind Springs Health serves.
What has recently changed?
When it was time to renew the contracts in 2017, the State of Colorado decided to realign responsibilities, regions and funding for behavioral health crisis services. As a result, the 10-county area served by Mind Springs Health is now part of a 22-county ‘Region 1’ area and West Slope Casa is no longer the contractor to provide crisis services.
How will this change impact people in crisis?
Impacting Mesa County the most, the Western Slope walk-in crisis center will now be located in Montrose instead of Grand Junction. Mobile crisis response services will remain available everywhere and are now accessed through a new phone number.
Colorado Crisis Services Hotline: 1.844.493.8255/Text ‘talk’ to 38255.
Although the way in which mental health crisis services are administered and funded by the State of Colorado may have changed, Mind Springs Health will continue to care for the communities we serve. Our goal remains to make sure that people on the Western Slope get access to the high quality behavioral health care they deserve.
What does the community need to know?
Mind Springs Health is the largest provider of mental health and addiction services on Colorado’s Western Slope. We will continue providing a continuum of care, offering counseling and treatment for individuals, families, couples and group programs for all ages. West Springs Hospital will continue to provide psychiatric hospitalization for all those in need of that level of psychiatric services.
We Care. We Save Lives.
Official Statement Regarding Closure Rumors
Contrary to unfounded rumors, Mind Springs Health and West Springs Hospital are not going anywhere. As a Community Mental Health Center, it is our responsibility to provide mental health treatment and emergency services to individuals and families who are low income or not covered by insurance. Mind Springs Health is committed to working with our community partners to make sure that the behavioral health safety net is there for those who need it when they need it.
It’s important for the community to understand that the decision to relocate the walk-in crisis center from Grand Junction to Montrose was not made Mind Springs Health. We are converting the Grand Junction space into a Mind Springs Health urgent care entrance that will be available weekdays from 8am-6pm.
All other Mind Springs Health services remain open and available to people across the Western Slope, including outpatient care and West Springs Hospital, which is the only psychiatric hospital between Denver and Salt Lake City.
If you need mental health or addiction related crisis services, call the state-designated toll-free hotline: 1-844-493-8255 or text ‘TALK’ to 38255.
Mind Springs Health has not and will not abandon this community. As long as we have the resources to meet the need, we will do everything we possibly can to help people struggling with mental illness receive the care they deserve.
