For west Jefferson County high school student Micah Wilson, the healing power of music inspired him to explore mental illness in his debut album, “The Departure,” which will be released on … more

Through the month of May, Golden’s Miners Alley Playhouse has embraced the on-demand approach to connect with audiences and its community during the COVID-19 shutdown. The company launched its new … more

Colorado Community Media reporters won seven awards, including three first-place honors, in the Society of Professional Journalists’ 2020 Top of the Rockies Contest. The contest matched papers from … more

With a global pandemic closing schools, businesses, entire communities and threatening people's livelihoods in addition to their health, it can be difficult to stifle the anxiety, stress and fear … more

After Jack Padilla, a freshman at Cherry Creek High School, took his own life in February 2019, his family saw an outpouring of support: A school walkout where some students wore “#Jackstrong” … more

Invoking the case of a Lakewood baker who refused to make a same-sex wedding cake and took the issue to the Supreme Court, some Republicans in the Colorado Legislature pushed bills to prevent … more

A suspected mental health-related incident has left two teenagers dead in Douglas County, Sheriff Tony Spurlock said during a Jan. 15 news conference. The incident, which is being investigated as a murder-suicide, began at Mile High Academy in Highlands Ranch on Jan. 14. The victim, a 17-year-old girl, got in a car with Samuel Hoffman, 18, after school. more

Before attending a community QPR Training (Question, Persuade, Refer Training), former educator Cecelia Lange would never have considered directly asking if an individual was feeling suicidal, she … more

In the aftermath of tragedy, mental health experts point to resources and encourage the community to stay resilient. “We are strong. Colorado is strong,” said Dr. Sarah Davidon, research director … more

Let’s Talk Colorado, launched in May, is a statewide campaign created by Tri-County Health Department and other partner organizations to combat the stigma of mental illness. In English and Spanish, … more

Throughout her life, Lissa Miller experienced some depression and anxiety. The mental health disorders run in her family. She managed her symptoms by being mindful and exercising. In her early 20s, … more

It's time to talk about mental health. Mothers and mental health advocates talk about how mental illness affects families, and why — and how — we need to talk about it. The free community … more

As a husband and father, Hal Knight believed he needed to take care of everyone. To your children, "you're supposed to be the hero," he said. To your spouse, “you're supposed to be the guy taking … more

Although one in five adults live with a mental illness, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, many fear speaking openly about their mental health. A Parker man, who spoke to Colorado … more

For Terry Schamberger, 51, a lifelong addiction to alcohol began when he was 13, triggered by emotional trauma caused by the death of his sister in a car accident and an unsettled family life. For … more

The Douglas County Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition — which works to prevent substance use among young people — reports to the Douglas County Mental Health Initiative, a partnership of … more

When Chrysta Reese’s daughter revealed she was struggling with a heroin addiction, Reese immediately sought help. “The first time she called me and was really sick, I thought she was dying. I was … more

For Kendra Rhoades, the problem was not convincing her or her husband that their teenage son Jacob struggled with substance abuse. The problem was convincing Jacob, even after his marijuana use … more

The Douglas County Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition found in a community-needs assessment from the Tri-County Health Department that more than 26 percent of high school students in the … more

Terry Schamberger took his last alcoholic drink on July 1, 2007, about 27 years after he drank his first beer at 13. Alcohol, he believes, was about to cost him his family. “I knew my kids were … more