Increased access to behavioral health support
On July 9, the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) launched Colorado LIFTS (Linking Individuals and Families To Services), a new way to connect people in Colorado with a statewide, connected network of mental health, substance use, crisis support and care navigation.
“Since taking office, our administration has been committed to increasing behavioral health support for people across our great state,” said Governor Jared Polis. “People deserve to have access to the care they need when they need it. This new effort will help streamline services and break down barriers for Coloradans.”
Behavioral health is an individual’s mental and emotional well-being and actions that affect overall wellness. Behavioral health issues and disorders include substance use disorders, mental health disorders, serious psychological distress, serious mental disturbance and suicide, and range from unhealthy stress or subclinical conditions to diagnosable and treatable diseases.
Anyone in Colorado can utilize this new, publicly-funded network to connect to services, no matter where they live or whether they have insurance. LIFTS helps Coloradans get behavioral healthcare through fewer steps, faster access and better coordination of services.
“The first year of Colorado LIFTS will be all about identifying gaps in the system and working in close collaboration with our partners across the state to ensure that the Colorado LIFTS network can adapt over time to meet the unique and diverse needs of each community it serves,” said BHA Commissioner Dannette R. Smith.
There are three ways to connect to care through the Colorado LIFTS network:
- Call the Colorado LIFTS care navigation line in your region. To find the number, go to ownpath.co and enter your ZIP code.
- Conduct your own search using the online OwnPath Care Directory.
- Or, receive a screening from a Colorado LIFTS provider.
For additional information or to connect to care navigation, visit ownpath.co. For additional information about BHA, visit bha.colorado.gov.
Information provided by the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration
