Mental health in our youth has been an issue that has been noticeably worsening over the recent years. To combat this issue, the State of Colorado decided to come up with a solution. Governor Dianne Primavera, Rep. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, and representatives of the Colorado Department of Human Services announced the rollout of the “I Matter” program. This program allows Colorado residents aged 18 and younger to be eligible to receive three free mental health counseling sessions. 

Primavera reveals that when the state was in recovery from COVID-19, they felt an urgent need to address the mental health of Colorado students, saying “we know we can and we must do more.”  COVID led to students losing opportunities to hang out with their friends face-to-face, or visit their teacher and counselors for outside help. It also forced many students to stop going to their own therapy sessions—whether via pandemic protocol or expenses.

  Colorado officials said this is the first statewide program to offer mental health resources for students so broadly. It is designed specifically toward children with mental health or behavioral issues. Colorado’s youth can go online at IMatterColorado.org to fill out a survey assessing their risk for mental health struggles. Afterwards, they would be directed to a counselor in a matter of minutes. “This is revolutionary,” said Michaelson Jenet. “It does not matter if you have insurance access, it does not matter if you have money. It matters if you can get to a phone or computer.”  

This would be a huge step in the right direction in helping the urgent mental health crisis amongst students. If the results prove to be positive, the “I Matter” program could serve as an example for future legislation in states other than Colorado.