Improving Mental Health for the Youth | Full Interview with Children's Hospital Colorado

By Sarah Flower

The number one emergency care concern is youth mental health. Tribal Radio’s Sarah Flower talks with Dr. Ron-Li Liaw and Dr. Kim Kelsay on the issues from Children’s Hospital Colorado on how it's affecting kids in the southwestern region, and the importance of collaboration between different organizations and sectors to address these challenges.

Here are some of the key takeaways from the interview:

Children's Hospital Colorado (CHC) and the University of Colorado Health Sciences Campus are collaborating to address the critical mental health challenges facing youth in the southwestern region.
The collaboration works to develop leadership operations, training programs, research and discovery, and clinical delivery to help kids and families.
There is a shortage of child psychiatrists, particularly in rural and tribal communities. CHC and the health sciences campus are working to recruit diversity to reflect the community, and they are also working to develop innovative ways to deliver mental health care to children in these areas.
Dr. Kim Kelsay used a local grant to improve psychiatric consultation for pediatricians and their patients in Durango, Colorado. In the consultation process, Dr. Kelsay connected to a pediatrician working in the Durango 9-R school district, who and a few collages wanted to support student and families holistically.
CHC is breaking down solutions to some of the issues facing youth mental health in the state and Durango. They are working to increase access to care, improve the quality of care, and reduce stigma associated with mental illness.

Mental Health Resources for Parents and Caregivers

Free, confidential, professional help is available 24/7 through Colorado Crisis Services.

Call for help 844-493-8255

Text “TALK” to 38255

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