San Miguel County continues to work toward implementing a behavioral health system that improves the social and emotional wellbeing of its residents and workers.
Seventeen consulting firms from across the United States applied to help San Miguel County craft a five-year behavioral health strategic plan. Grace Franklin, director of the San Miguel County Public Health Department, told the county commissioners last Wednesday that the Steadman Group stood out from the other applicants.
“Their approach being more collaborative and bringing in partners appealed to us the most,” she said.
The Steadman Group touts itself as having extensive experience in behavioral health consulting, particularly in rural communities.
“We have worked with dozens of counties across five states to assess their needs and develop behavioral health programming, many located in rural Colorado,” director JK Costello wrote in the firm’s application. “We are committed to equitable and impactful work supporting prevention, education, treatment and recovery in mental health, substance use and the accompanying social determinants of health.”
Behavioral health, alongside housing and climate action/resiliency, are the commissioner’s top three goals for 2025.
San Miguel County has a Behavioral Health Collaborative made up of providers and community partners working in the behavioral health sphere.
In 2018, San Miguel County voters passed a mill levy, which will generate approximately $1 million in 2025 to fund mental health counselors and programs in schools; mental health and substance abuse crisis and emergency response services; suicide prevention programs; and alcohol, opioid, and substance abuse prevention and treatment programs.
The San Miguel County Behavioral Health Solutions Panel formed thereafter and has since provided grant funding to a number of local organizations and institutions.
Tri-County Health Network sponsored a survey in the winter of 2023 to gauge the quality of life in San Miguel County and the West End of Montrose County. The 42-question survey helped to paint a picture of what life is like for the people who live and work in the area.
Over 600 residents of San Miguel County and the West End of Montrose County (collectively called the West Mountain Region) completed the survey. With questions ranging from community life to mental health and substance use, the results of the survey will be used to strengthen services and seek funding to address areas of need.
A high number of poor mental health days (three or more days per month during which mental health is not good) were reported and four out of 10 adults said they feel lonely, lack companionship, feel left out and/or feel isolated from others.
While many community members are aware of available resources, Hispanic residents and adults aged 40-64 are less likely to seek help.
Alcohol is strongly associated with social life in San Miguel County and the West End of Montrose County (higher among white respondents), with eight out of 10 people reporting that drinking is important to most people’s social lives. Binge drinking rates in the community are higher than the national average with 40% of residents engaging in excessive drinking.
Substance use also has a huge impact on the community, with 75% of respondents stating their life has been negatively affected by someone’s substance use (either their own or someone close to them).
“I think it’s going to be really awesome to start moving forward with the county-wide plan to improve our behavioral health systems in all different areas,” Franklin told the commissioners. “I think there’s momentum and interest from all of our community partners.”
On Wednesday, the commissioners are expected to sign an agreement with the Steadman Group, not to exceed $58,229 for its services.
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