Boulder County’s Innovative WellMind Connection and Crisis Assistance and Treatment (CAT) Programs Promote Mental Health Support
In 2023, Boulder County introduced two new programs aimed at providing mental and behavioral health support to residents at no cost. The WellMind Connection and Crisis Assistance and Treatment (CAT) team are designed to connect individuals with the appropriate resources for assistance, ensuring that they have access to the care they need.
WellMind Connection offers a variety of contact methods for individuals seeking help, including phone, email, or their website. The goal is to guide individuals through the process of finding the right mental or behavioral health services for their needs. The CAT team is responsible for providing culturally responsive services to those facing acute crises, with bilingual navigators working to keep individuals in their communities whenever possible. They work tirelessly to eliminate barriers for individuals as they navigate through the system and seek out the necessary support.
The Behavioral Health Road Map was adopted by Boulder County Commissioners in 2023 as a response to community needs and challenges faced by residents in finding suitable resources for behavioral health care. The program provides resource navigators who assess incoming requests and guide individuals to either the CAT team for urgent needs or continuous support services provided by WellMind Connection. Funding comes from the American Rescue Plan Act, which allocated $6 million specifically for mental and behavioral health resources.
Kelly Veit, program manager of WellMind Connection, emphasizes the importance of guiding individuals step-by-step to find the right resources tailored to their specific situations. Jessica Jaramillo, program manager and clinical supervisor of the CAT team, aims for these programs to be viewed as personal, trustworthy, and relatable sources of support for mental health issues by members of the community.
Individuals seeking assistance can contact either program by phone at 303-441-1300 from Monday to Friday between 12-4 p.m., or by email at [email protected].
