#USA #Denver #Children's Hospital #Healthier Colorado #Mind Our Future

Introduction

In a bid to highlight the pressing need for improved mental health support for children, Children's Hospital Colorado and Healthier Colorado have announced Mind Our Future Colorado, a statewide initiative aimed at ensuring that child and youth mental health becomes a top priority in the upcoming 2026 gubernatorial race. This initiative is a response to alarming statistics indicating that Colorado ranks 41st in the nation for youth mental health, with suicide being a leading cause of death among individuals under 18. As federal funding for youth mental health programs diminishes, advocates increasingly recognize the urgent need for comprehensive solutions that will address this crisis.

The Mental Health Crisis

Colorado’s youth face a mental health landscape fraught with challenges. According to recent data, more than one in seven young Coloradans reported experiencing poor mental health in 2025. Furthermore, statistics from the Colorado Health Access Survey (CHAS) revealed that 14% of those aged 21 and under reported facing significant mental health issues, with rates climbing as high as 26% among high school students. Rural communities, in particular, grapple with severe barriers to accessing mental health care, including workforce shortages and limited service options. The result: youth in these areas witnessed suicide rates that were 35% higher than the average across the state.

Rallying for Change

The Mind Our Future Colorado initiative seeks to galvanize support from healthcare experts, advocacy organizations, and community leaders to create a robust coalition aiming for solutions across three key areas:
1. Health foundations for young minds
2. A youth-focused mental health system
3. Accessible mental health resources for families

Joshua Ewing, Executive Director of Healthier Colorado, emphasized the necessity for those running for governor to commit to actionable plans that will truly address these challenges. "90% of Colorado voters recognize we are in a youth mental health crisis," he stated, urging candidates to prioritize this pressing issue from day one.

Collaborative Efforts

Currently, over 40 organizations from various sectors including healthcare, education, and early childhood development have joined the initiative, showcasing a united front to tackle the mental health crisis. Jena Hausmann, President and CEO of Children's Hospital Colorado, echoed the sentiment, lauding Colorado's potential to lead the nation in prioritizing the mental health of its youth. The hospital has actively worked with over 14,400 pediatric patients for mental health treatment, underscoring the dire need for more effective support systems.

Building a Sustainable Future

Moving forward, Mind Our Future Colorado aims to craft and refine sustainable mental health policies through input from diverse groups across the state. The initiative plans a series of outreach programs leading up to the gubernatorial election. These efforts include:

• - A candidate questionnaire focused on child and youth mental health policy
• - Youth, parent, and community roundtable discussions
• - Digital campaigns to encourage voter and candidate engagement

Additionally, the initiative will host a gubernatorial candidate forum on May 28, streamed on CBS Colorado, aimed specifically at discussing child and youth mental health issues.

Conclusion

By fostering a coalition committed to enhancing mental healthcare access and advocating for systemic changes, Mind Our Future Colorado is positioned to make significant strides in addressing the mental health crisis affecting the youth of Colorado. Individuals and organizations interested in joining this crucial initiative are encouraged to visit mindourfuturecolorado.com to learn how they can contribute. The call to action is clear: the health of Colorado's children cannot be left on the backburner any longer.

About the Organizations

Mind Our Future Colorado is a collaborative effort led by Children's Hospital Colorado and Healthier Colorado to prioritize youth mental health in the state. In joining forces with numerous coalition partners, the aim is to provide every child and family with the necessary support for mental wellness from early childhood to adolescence.