We Are Heard: How the Mental Health Crisis System Works in Denver

When we are in need of help for a mental health crisis or for having suicidal thoughts, it can be difficult and confusing to know where to go to receive support. 

Help is readily available, however, and it is accessible 24/7/365. 

When we are unfamiliar with something, we make up in our heads what it will be like, and we are not always the kindest when painting these pictures. Calling a crisis line sounds scary, and walking into a center to talk to someone about suicide sounds scary. This blog is meant to lessen those fears by providing a realistic picture of what the process is like for accessing mental health crisis services. 

The resources available in Denver’s mental health crisis system save lives every day, and the clinicians that work there are just like me. Actually, they are me. In addition to my role at KHESED, I also work at a Walk-In Center to help fill open shifts when their full-time clinicians are away. 

Becoming educated about our crisis system might save a life: perhaps a friend or family member, or maybe even yours. You may be the person seeking these services or you may be a friend to someone that has reached out to you about their life struggles. The following stories illustrate what it looks like to access each level of help within the crisis system available to those that live in Colorado. 

JIMMY-

“I have been drinking all day, I am such a pain in the a**. No one cares about me. I am better off not being here,” Jimmy thinks to himself. The doorbell rings. It's his buddy John, who knew Jimmy had been going through a tough time lately. Jimmy confides in John that he believes that he is better off not being around and that he is a waste of space. John worries his friend is at risk for suicide. He asks if Jimmy has talked to anyone about how he has been feeling, and Jimmy scoffs. John remembers that he once was told to put the phone number of the Colorado Crisis Line in his phone. He suggests to Jimmy that they call this number and talk to someone about how Jimmy is feeling. “I am worried about you, dude.” John dials the phone...“Colorado Crisis Line, how can I help you?” It is a warm, young voice. John says, “Hi, I am here at my buddy’s house, and he is having a hard time lately. He has been talking about how he wants to not be here anymore, and I’m not sure what to do.” The warm voice says, “Thank you so much for caring for your friend. Can I talk with him while you stand by?” Jimmy gets on the phone and talks to the clinician. After 20 minutes, Jimmy is calmer and tells John that he got a resource for a therapist to help him. He says he is going to call the resource tomorrow. HE IS HEARD. 

This fictional narrative illustrates how a man in Colorado was able to utilize the crisis line to calm himself and express his negative thoughts to a clinician over the phone from his living room, while his friend was there to support him. He was also able to receive a referral to a therapist that can work with him on an ongoing basis. If you or a loved one is suicidal or even just having negative thoughts, The Colorado Crisis Line is accessible 27/7/365 for free. You can reach them at 844-493-8255. 

MORGAN-

This is the worst year ever. I am the worst person ever. I can’t believe my partner left me. No one will ever love me. I just want the pain to stop and I know how I can make it stop... Morgan’s thoughts continue as she sits outside the store where she works deciding if she should go in or not. “Where was that place that my friend told me about? The walk-in place?” She looks up the address in her phone and drives to the Denver Walk-In Crisis Center. When Morgan arrives, she is greeted by a safety officer and then met with a kind nurse to check in about immediate medical issues. She is then directed to a room with a comfortable recliner and a clinician to talk to. Morgan cries and voices her frustration about life. SHE IS HEARD! After some time, she feels good enough to go home and use some of the new coping skills she was taught. Morgan was even invited back if she needed help in the future, and given a referral for a therapist group in her area that she could afford for ongoing help.  

This fictional narrative illustrates a Colorado woman’s experience accessing the Denver Walk-In Crisis Center. There are many like it in counties around the state and in the metro area. At the Walk-In Center, this woman would be assessed for suicide. She would be assisted in creating a safety plan and provided with ongoing resources, as well as coping skills and strategies to use in the interim. She would be able to talk with a clinician about what has been happening in her life that is making her think about suicide. The Denver Walk-In Crisis Center and others like it are open 24/7/365 and are free to access. Locations can be found here.

RYAN-

Ryan is sitting at the Denver Walk-In Crisis Center and has just talked to a clinician about how he has been struggling with thoughts of suicide for about a month. He even sat down to write a goodbye note last night. He and the clinician think more intensive help is needed, so Ryan is accepted into a Crisis Stabilization Unit. The clinician explains to Ryan before he leaves that he will stay overnight at this unit for up to five days as he focuses on himself, works one on one with a therapist, and has access to a doctor and to groups that will help him gain insight and skills to manage life’s ups and downs. Ryan WAS HEARD when he told the clinician that he feels concerned for his safety going back home. The clinician worked with Ryan and other professionals to get him into a Crisis Stabilization Unit. 

This fictional narrative illustrates a Colorado man accessing the Crisis Stabilization Unit. There are many Crisis Stabilization Units in the metro area and the state. Referrals are made by a clinician at any of the Walk-In Centers similar to the one illustrated in the last example. The Crisis Stabilization Units are open 24/7/365 and are free in some instances. No one will be turned away for the inability to pay. They are a resource available that are less restrictive than a hospital. 

For more information about any of these services, you can visit https://coloradocrisisservices.org/.

About the Author:

Lisa Kjeseth (she/her), MA, LPC, ACS holds a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology from Colorado Christian University. She excels at working with clients who are struggling with suicidal ideation and self harm as it relates to past trauma or difficult life experiences, believing that they are in a unique position to see the personal transformation that occurs during Post Traumatic Growth. Lisa believes that finding and channeling resilience is key to long term health and wellness. Lisa loves to explore Colorado’s beautiful landscape through camping, hiking, and photography with her young family.