Mind the Brain: Dr. Robert Werthwein on Colorado’s Behavioral Health Task Force
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This week on Mind the Brain, Dr. Neill Epperson is joined by Dr. Robert Werthwein, Director of the Office of Behavioral Health at the Colorado Department of Human Services, to talk about the work of Colorado’s Behavioral Health Task Force and behavioral health reform efforts in our state.
Robert Werthwein, Ph.D., is the Director of the Office of Behavioral Health at the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS), holding the position since October 2017. Werthwein directs the operations and administrative oversight of the public behavioral health system, including mental health and substance use community programs as well as operation of the Colorado Mental Health Institutes at Fort Logan and Pueblo. He also leads in providing policy, performance management, fiscal and administrative tools, and oversight to a large group of mental health facilities, treatment centers and clinics statewide.
Why a behavioral task force was needed
An analysis conducted last year found that Colorado spends about $1.4 billion across 10 state agencies and more than 75 programs on behavioral health services, , yet continues to rank in the bottom 25% of states upon evaluation of quality of behavioral healthcare provided to residents. It ranked 43rd out of the 50 states on Mental Health of America’s 2018 rankings for prevalence of mental illness and access to care; it also has one of the highest suicide rates in the country.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis convened the Behavioral Health Task Force to ensure that Coloradoans receive high quality and effective behavioral healthcare. In his announcement of the task force, he said, “We can and must do better to transform our system for Coloradans living with a behavioral health condition so that they have access to affordable, high-quality, and patient-centered care.”
Behavioral Health Task Force mission and driving principles
The work and discussions of the BHTF were all informed by the following driving principles:
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All Coloradans — regardless of severity of need, ability to pay, disability, linguistics, geographic location, racial or ethnic identity, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, age or gender identity— have access that is trauma-informed and culturally and linguistically responsive to a full continuum of behavioral health services in the right place at the right time. This includes access to prevention, treatment and recovery services for behavioral health conditions.
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All stakeholders work together and hold one another accountable to ensure Coloradans are receiving the quality care they need for as long as they need it.
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There is a comprehensive continuum of services available for children, youth and adults.
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People can access services in a variety of methods, such as tele-behavioral health and in-person services for all levels of need.
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Colorado has a behavioral health system that distinctly meets the needs of children and youth. Young people have different needs than adults and are offered developmentally appropriate remedies and culturally competent services that an adult system cannot offer.
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Coloradans do not have to engage in the criminal justice system to access behavioral health services. These services are available through their communities.
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All Coloradans have the opportunity to achieve mental wellness.
The importance of parity
One issue discussed on the episode of particular importance to Dr. Epperson is that of parity, which is the idea that whatever coverage or care is offered through insurance for physical health conditions should also be offered for mental health conditions. Though Colorado has had parity laws in place for many years, they are not always followed—often unbeknownst to patients. The Behavioral Health Task Force worked to find meaningful ways to enforce parity laws and educate patients on their rights. Dr. Epperson tells Dr. Werthwein and listeners, “Mental health is just as much as a right in healthcare as any kind of physical health.”
Moving forward with a behavioral health action plan
Today, Colorado is moving forward with the implementation of several recommendations put forward by the Behavioral Health Task Force, including the creation of a Behavioral Health Administration through Colorado House Bill 21-1097 and expanding telehealth services.
For more information about the progress of behavioral health reform in Colorado, visit the state’s Department of Human Services website.
Listen to the episode: Dr. Robert Werthwein on Colorado’s Behavioral Health Task Force
For additional support, explore all of our mental health resources.
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