Tri-County Health Network has been engaged in the behavioral wellness of our community since our inception. TCHNetwork believes that engaging in community outreach and education programs, as well as providing direct behavioral health services in the communities we serve, is an essential aspect of reducing the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness. By creating space for discussion and intervention around mental health and substance abuse, as well as removing barriers to care, our goal is to help all community members lead vibrant and healthy lives.
Current Programs
Behavioral Health Courses
TCHNetwork provides a variety of behavioral health courses to better equip community members to recognize when individuals in our community might be experiencing a mental health crisis or the onset of a mental health disorder. Through these courses, participants learn how to connect struggling individuals to available resources.
Community members and businesses can register for Mental Health First Aid and safeTALK Suicide Alertness courses, both of which are offered regularly throughout the year in Ouray, San Miguel, Delta, and Montrose counties. Mental Health First Aid is offered in English and Spanish, in person or over the internet and has been a staple of our behavioral health courses since 2015. In addition, we offer a course specifically for individuals who live or work with youth (Youth Mental Health First Aid), as well as a new program designed for high school aged youth (teen Mental Health First Aid). In 2020, we began offering safeTALK, a three and a half hour course that helps participants learn how to be suicide alert.
To provide support for family members who live with or know someone living with a mental illness, TCHNetwork has conducted Nami Family-to-Family since 2018. Nami Family-to-Family is a course designed by the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI), to facilitate a better understanding of mental illness, increase coping skills, and empower participants to become advocates for their family members.
San Miguel Behavioral Health Fund
The Behavioral Health (BH) Fund is intended to help those living and/or working in San Miguel County fund individual therapy services. Starting in 2023, applicants can apply for a scholarship of $110 per session for 6 therapy sessions. Depending on income qualifications, some applicants may be eligible for an additional scholarship of 6 sessions at $110 per session. The applicant will be responsible for any additional cost beyond the scholarship amount or the approved number of sessions.
The San Miguel Behavioral Health Solutions fund is available to anyone who lives or works in San Miguel County. Apply Here
Montrose & Delta Recovery Access Fund
Tri-County Health Network received funding for a Substance Use Recovery Fund through the Southwest Colorado Opioid Regional Council (SWCORC). It aims to help alleviate the costs of receiving substance use therapy treatment. People who reside or work in Montrose or Delta County can receive $110 to 6 sessions with a Colorado Licensed Therapist. Six additional sessions at the same rate of $110 can be acquired by providing proof of income and qualifying for need-based assistance.
Apply Here
Policy Development
Support for behavioral health resources in San Miguel County continues to grow. TCHNetwork acts as a member and also provides administrative and organizational support to the San Miguel Behavioral Health Collaborative, a 2016 initiative to improve collaboration among county stakeholders and to increase knowledge and awareness of mental health issues. In addition, TCHNetwork led efforts in 2018 to pass a 0.75 mill levy property tax increase (Ballot measure 1A) to provide funding for community based behavioral health services in San Miguel County. The San Miguel Behavioral Health Solutions Panel is the County panel which oversees the distribution of funding from this ballot measure. TCHNetwork provides administrative and organizational support to this panel.
Looking Ahead
Over the past decade, TCHNetwork has grown to be not only an advocate for mental health, but also a resource and support system for our community. We are continuously expanding and improving our programming to bring additional resources to our rural region.
These are unprecedented times, and if you are feeling isolated or overwhelmed, TCHNetwork is here for you. We are eager to listen and to help you find the resources that you need to heal and to thrive again.
Crisis Resources
If you are experiencing a crisis, please call 911 or contact one of the following crisis lines:
- San Miguel County Sheriff Dispatch: 728-1911
- Colorado Crisis Services, a statewide hotline: 844-493-TALK (8255)
- Colorado Crisis Services Text Line: text TALK to 38255
- Axis Health 24 hour support line: 1-970-252-6220
For a list of additional crisis resources, click here.
Media
Corinne Cavender, former TCHNetwork’s Behavioral Health Solutions Executive Assistant, discusses the warning signs that someone is experiencing suicidal thoughts and the importance of having open and honest conversations about suicide to reduce the stigma around mental health. Listen to the interview here!
