Mental Health Partners Emphasizes Compassion, Mental Health Care, and Crisis Support During Aftermath of George Floyd’s Death, Ongoing Demonstrations

For Immediate Release: June 2, 2020
Contact: Kristina Shaw, Public Information Officer, kshaw@mhpcolorado.org

Mental Health Partners (MHP) would like to express our sadness and anger over George Floyd’s death and the continued violence against people of color in the United States. For over 55-years, we have provided mental health and addiction recovery services to vulnerable populations and marginalized communities, and we recognize the systematic injustices minority communities, specifically the African American community, have faced throughout history and continue to face.

We are also significantly concerned about how these numerous incidents of violence are impacting the mental health of African American individuals and communities. According to a 2018 study by Boston University’s School of Health, the rates of depression, stress and other mental health issues in African American communities have drastically increased over the past few years due to living in perpetual fear of violence happening to them or a loved one; being the victim of violence or discrimination; and/or witnessing these incidents via the media and social media. As a nonprofit, community-focused organization, our mission is to foster healthy minds, lives, and communities so to see one community we deeply value being disproportionately impacted by fear and violence is alarming and distressing.

We recognize there is no simple answer to the tragic cycle of violence that has been directed towards African American individuals and communities. But we remain committed to continuing to make a positive difference in this matter within the scope of our mission. This includes providing compassionate mental health and addiction recovery care to individuals and communities of color; developing and implementing programs that address inequities resulting from race, ethnicity, color, gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or national origin; partnering with community agencies who share our values of empathy, hope, and healing; and adding our voice to the collective as a sign of strength, unity, compassion, and empathy. It also means an organizational commitment to continuous change to be more inclusive and responsive to the needs of our communities, clients, and employees of color.

We are hopeful these recent incidents will prompt a national dialogue that results in systemic and long-lasting change. Until this is our reality, we want to remind everyone they can access immediate mental health services through the 24/7 Walk-in Crisis Center & Addiction Services by calling 1-844-493-TALK, texting TALK to 38255 or going in-person to 3180 Airport Road, Boulder CO. This center offers confidential, in-person support, information, and referrals and can be a calm place in midst of the current storm.