Background Statement
The Center for Mental Health was started in 1964 by a group of individuals with a vision to provide mental health services in rural western Colorado. It was one of the first mental health clinics in a rural setting to become a Mental Health Center in the entire U.S. Dr. Lynn Hopple flew his own plane to Montrose from Denver bringing with him other service providers three days a month to bring mental health services to the Western Slope.
The Center was organized as a nonprofit organization in 1966 with the legal name Midwestern Colorado Mental Health Clinic, Inc. In 1969, Midwestern combined with the Gunnison-Hinsdale Guidance Service, Inc. to become Midwestern Colorado Mental Health Center. In 1996, The Center adopted the doing business name "The Center for Mental Health", which is how we are known in our communities today. We serve people in Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray and San Miguel Counties.
From our humble beginnings and an initial $4,000 annual budget, the Center has grown to 150 staff members providing services at ten locations to more than 5,000 people each year. In addition, The Center offers information resources and peer-based groups at no cost to thousands of people each year.
Recognizing the need to ensure good mental health for all, the Center continues to add programs and services with a focus on mental wellness, mental health integration, and recovery from substance abuse.
In 2018, we started providing free Mental Health First Aid training to community members. This class, as well as our Question, Persude, Refer suicide prevention training, can save a life. They teach people how to effectively respond when someone is showing signs of mental health or substance-use issues.
In August, 2019 we opened our Crisis Walk-In Center to be able to serve residents in crisis, 24/7/365 close to home. In the past year, we served 1,072 people from across the Western Slope, allowing them to get the urgent care they need in their local communities.
The Center for Mental Health offers a vital safety net to some of the poorest and most vulnerable in our society--Medicaid beneficiaries, the uninsured, people who are homeless, children in foster care, older adults, and those in our criminal and juvenile justice systems. We serve anyone who needs us, and we offer a sliding fee scale to all.
In 2022, The Center plans to merge with Axis Health Systems to improve our sustainability and longevity. The merger is expected to equate to more mental health services, as well as more affordable access and a broader range of services. It should also provide The Center with deeper resources, more staff, and lead to a better system for the people of our region.
Center staff are proud of the progress that we have made. Mental illness is now more treatable than ever, and it is very exciting to see people live in recovery. We look forward to continuing to help people to live their best lives.