Examining Youth Mental Health in Colorado: Data, Policy, and Pathways Forward

Description:

Youth mental health has become one of the most urgent public health issues facing Colorado communities. In 2021, Colorado Children’s Hospital declared a state of emergency in youth mental health, citing increased rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide among children and teens. Since then, significant investments have been made to improve the mental health and well-being of young people in our state, but opportunities for continued progress remain.

This webinar, provided by Healthier Colorado, will explore the current landscape of youth mental health both nationally and in Colorado, highlighting key data trends and disparities across populations. It will also provide an in-depth look at policy decisions that shape the mental health and well-being of youth in our state. Presenters will explore mental health from early childhood through young adulthood, focusing on the importance of prevention, early intervention, crisis services, and centering youth voice in conversations about their mental health.

Presenters:

Alexis Alltop (she/her) serves as the Policy Manager at Healthier Colorado, where she advocates for equitable access to high-quality, affordable healthcare. In her role, Alexis leads Healthier Colorado’s mental and behavioral health policy agenda, driving change through detailed research analysis, coalition building, and strategic advocacy.

Christina Walker (she/her) is the Senior Director of Policy at Healthier Colorado. A seasoned public policy advocate, she has over 15 years experience in the government and nonprofit sectors and has expertise in maternal and child health, early childhood, mental health, and family support policies. Christina graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from Baldwin-Wallace College and has a Master of Public Administration concentrating in social policy from Cornell University.

This project was supported by Subgrant No. 2024-VW-25-582-00 awarded by the state administering office for the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice’s STOP Formula Grant Program. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this training are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Division of Criminal Justice, Colorado Department of Public Safety nor the U.S. Department of Justice. 

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