Mental Health

Doctors in Colorado continue to treat an alarming number of young people for anxiety, depression and panic attacks. So a reporter recently spent time with an unusual group of people: An advisory council made up of teenagers who offer advice to state leaders on how to promote better mental health. We’ll hear what kinds of advice she heard.

People who decide to get in-patient help for substance abuse or mental health issues often face a dilemma: While they get treatment, who will care for their pets? Hear about a Colorado program that offers foster care for pets of people in recovery.

When a natural disaster strikes, children are often seen as some of the most vulnerable victims. But kids often help their families and neighbors in the wake of a wildfire or flood. And a CU researcher who studies this phenomenon says letting kids help with the response can help them emotionally and support their community.

Demand for counseling is pacing well above last year as communities empty, costs rise and work ebbs. “It feels like tension is really high.”

A position on the ski patrol is a dream job for many skiers. But the stress that comes with it can be serious. A ski patrol member might deal with a cranky guest one day and a badly injured skier the next. As a tough ski season winds down, we look at how ski patrollers cope with these challenges.

A decade ago, Fort Collins writer Becky Jensen was trapped in a cycle of depression. To escape, she took bold action by backpacking 500 miles across the state of Colorado. She details her journey – and how it helped her heal – today on In The NoCo.

Hot days and polluted air may be doing more than making people uncomfortable — they could also affect mental health. A new study from the University of Utah finds that short bursts of extreme heat, combined with certain types of air pollution, are linked to an increased risk of suicide.

Life with bipolar disorder or chronic depression can come with intense periods of sadness or despair. But these conditions might also come with some surprising advantages – including better social relationships and creative abilities. That’s according to new research from the University of Colorado. We dig into the possible “silver linings” of mood disorders.

The bills would make it illegal for AI to pose as a psychotherapist and deny insurance coverage without human judgment.

Winter can be a lonely time of year, especially in Colorado’s rural mountain communities. Some towns have few places to meet up. But a food pantry in Red Feather Lakes is becoming a community hub.