Colorado's community mental health system is a vast network of providers and partners that few people fully understand. A local legislator has been honored for going the extra mile to understand and support this critical system.

Sen. Betty Boyd, (D) District 21, was chosen based on her support for mental health, participation in the mental health caucus and support for mental health legislation. She received her award earlier this month at a ceremony at the Second Saturday Breakfast Forum sponsored by the Jefferson County Democrats .

"Senator Boyd understands the impact that mental health plays in the health of our state," said George DelGrosso, Executive Director of the Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council." She understands that the community mental health system promotes recovery, while saving taxpayer dollars. She also understands the importance of integrating mental health and primary care as we reform healthcare in Colorado. She is leading the charge to improve mental health care for veterans, seniors,and school kids."

"We are proud and honored to have such a strong advocate for mental health who resides right here in Jefferson County," said Harriet Hall, Ph.D., President and CEO of Jefferson Center for Mental Health. " Hopefully, her leadership will inspire others to support this critical issue that affects thousands of our friends, family, and coworkers."

Serious mental health disorders affect about 60 million Americans, including one out of every four families in Colorado at any given time. Mental illness will impact about half of us during our lifetimes. In addition:

- The United States has the highest rate of mental illness in the world.

- Mental illnesses and substance abuse are more common than cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

- People with mental illness occupy more hospital beds than persons with cancer, diabetes and heart disease occupy combined.

- Depression is the most common form of mental illness and the leading cause of chronic disability in the U.S. forpeople ages 15 to 44. Colorado ranks as the 18th most depressed state in the U.S.

Celebrating its 50th year, Jefferson Center for Mental Health serves individuals and families who are impacted by mental illness in Jefferson, Gilpin and Clear Creek Counties. The Center provides comprehensive, community-based mental health services to more than 6,000 people each year.

As the community's mental health center, Jefferson Center serves the people throughout its three-county area with 300 staff in 20 locations as well as in numerous community settings such asschools, nursing homes, senior centers and other partner locations. It offers a variety of programs, including: outpatient counseling, vocational services, and employee assistance programs. The Center provides mental health services and hope to people of allagesto foster recovery and resilience for individuals who have mental health problems, promoting a better quality of life and a healthy community. Its staff has expertise in numerous areas, including children and family issues, adults with serious mental illness, suicide prevention, early intervention, juvenile justice, and trauma treatment. For more information, visit www.jcmh.org.

Jefferson Center is a member of the Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council (CBHC). CBHC is a nonprofit membership organization that represents Colorado's statewide network of community behavioral healthcare providers, including 17 community mental health centers, two specialty clinics, and five behavioral health organizations. CBHC members contract with the State of Colorado and others to provide comprehensive, community-based behavioral and psychiatric services to more than 83,000 people across the state. CBHC members provide a network of skilled therapeutic and community resources to meet the mental health need of individuals and families so that all can have equal and full access to a quality of life. Thousands of Colorado citizens, once isolated and disabled by mental illness, are now leading productive and satisfying lives thanks to Colorado's award-winning community mental health system. For more information, visit www.cbhc.org.