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Mental health falls into many different categories with over 200 forms of mental illness, according to Mental Health America.
So, when I set out to learn more about it, I was immediately overwhelmed.
I found varying definitions, levels of severity and seemingly endless statistics. I struggled to pinpoint exactly what the term mental health meant, or more specifically, how it was effectively treated.
However, my confusion dissipated minutes into my discussion with the staff at North Range Behavioral Health (NRBH) when I discovered the answers to my questions didn’t need to be plucked out of statistics. They were found much more easily by observing the smiles in the room as I was told about a few of the comments received from those throughout Weld County who’ve benefited from the comprehensive mental health services NRBH provides.
“Our clients tell us the most amazing things,” said Kim Collins, Chief Clinical Officer for NRBH. “I’m a calmer parent. I’m sleeping better at night. My body image is improving. I have more energy, and I want to be part of the community now.”
Collins explained that mental health can be impacted by a variety of different things — from genetics to sudden relationship or financial changes, to work, personal or family struggles. She said due to the wide array of issues people can be impacted by, it’s likely that everyone at some point will experience challenges related to mental health.
Still, getting the concept of mental health to be taken as a serious part of one’s overall health can be difficult. Unlike physical health, where ailments sometimes appear on the surface and getting help is encouraged, many mental health issues are not as easily visible. Add in the stigma that someone who cares for their mental health may be perceived as weak or different, and it’s not surprising that many may not want to seek treatment.
But for decades, Weld County Government has worked to eliminate that misconception by continually shining a light on the importance of mental health.
“Prior to the 1970s, the mental health program was in our public health department,” said Don Warden, Weld County Director of Finance and Administration. “Then as the state changed its funding formula, it made more sense for our mental health department to become a standalone agency.”
What started out as Weld Mental Health eventually became NRBH and a private nonprofit in 1971. However, that hasn’t stopped the Weld County Board of Commissioners from providing a portion of general fund dollars from the county’s budget every year to the agency to ensure mental health services are widely available to residents.
“There’s no way the commissioners can support all our needs, and at North Range we do have a variety of financial supports that help us,” explained Larry Pottorff, NRBH CEO. “But the fact that they’re willing to provide us with a level of financial support is critically important.”
In recent years, that financial support has enabled NRBH to grow its services. In 2015, Suicide Education and Support Services, then a standalone agency, wanted to merge with NRBH. After NRBH’s Board of Directors approved the merger, the commissioners, as part of the general fund money they allocated that year, agreed to help cover some of the costs of the transition.
Then, in 2019, NRBH used funds from Weld County Government to help build a clinic in Firestone and serve residents in southern Weld County — NRBH already had locations in Greeley, Fort Lupton and Windsor. The newly opened Crisis Center at Carbon Valley serves as an outpatient facility and a walk-in crisis center ready to assist anyone needing immediate help with a mental health issue.
“The community has opened their arms and welcomed us and broadened our reach in a wonderful way,” Collins said, explaining that the clinic’s opening has strengthened NRBH's relationships with law enforcement in the Carbon Valley area and brought mental health services to residents who often debated about traveling to Denver or Boulder to receive care. “I’m excited to see where we’ll be in five years. I think we’re just scratching the surface.”
Extending Weld County Government’s reach by partnering with outside agencies like NRBH is far from a new concept. In fact, for more than 40 years, during every budget process — which begins in October and ends in December — the commissioners have routinely allocated funds to various nonprofit agencies across Weld County that address needs ranging from homelessness, to support of the county’s 20 senior centers, Meals on Wheels, Envision, the 211 referral line and more.
“We’ve always taken the philosophy that we’re buying a service,” Warden said. “We don’t have departments set up to specifically target certain social issues or problems, and we feel that we shouldn’t have departments competing with these nonprofits, because they’re doing a good job.”
As Weld County continues to grow, so too will the demand for mental health services. And with the longstanding partnership between Weld County Government and NRBH, the hope is stigmas will continue to lessen, more people feeling overwhelmed will seek treatment and NRBH staff will continue to enjoy the best part about helping others — the stories of success.
“I love hearing stories of our staff going above and beyond and making a difference,” said Pottorff, who began working for NRBH in 1983 and has seen the organization grow while serving in many different roles. “I love hearing stories from the people we’ve helped and their testimonials saying, ‘boy, North Range really made a difference in my life.’ That’s what I enjoy.”
By Baker Geist, Weld County Communications Specialist
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