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At the time MHAC was founded, 1953, it was becoming socially acceptable to promote mental health and the humane treatment of people residing in state hospitals, but the focus was not recovery.
The stigma around mental health was palpable and those with mental health conditions were not helped or addressed. Things like depression or anxiety were not considered a sickness and it was just assumed that one’s mental health was controllable, or else one afflicted lived in the shadows, hiding their condition from their neighbors, co-workers and family.
We’d like to think we’ve come a long way in 60 years, but only recently have there been strides in bringing mental health out of the shadows and into the bright light where we can see and treat it. Three in 10 Coloradoans are in need or mental health or substance abuse disorder treatment in any given year. Colorado ranks 32nd in the nation for the amount of public sector mental health spending. Colorado ranks 6th in the country for the number of suicides each year. There is a significant shortage in the number of mental health providers in the state. Until very recently, veterans returning from service were looked upon as “weak” if they admitted that their traumatic experiences had a long-term affect on them.
Mental Health America of Colorado makes it their mission to work on rectifying these things. In this 60th anniversary year, MHAC looks back at accomplishments and goals, and also challenges for the future. MHAC is using this 60th anniversary mark as a celebration, to look positively toward the future. The annual Tribute event is October 26, 2013. A gathering of supporters and advocates gathered at Cherry Hills Country Club to kickoff the Tribute season.
Visit www.mhacolorado.org for details or to learn about other programs and assistance.
- Past President and CEO Jeanne Rohner, Don Rohner and Dr. Carl Clarke
- Sari Freedman, left, and Louise Boris
- Event Co-Chairs Patty and Don Cook, left, with Robyn Loup
- Sandra Rhodes PhD and Jerry Dunn
- Craig Fales of UMB Bank, left, Jeff Schmitz of Citywide Bank, Dick and Jeanne Saunders and Tom Flanagan of Citywide Bank
- Jordan Tidball-Sciullo, left, Hon. Jane Tidball (board member) and Kevin White
- Shannon McNulty holds her daughter Victoria, with Matt Vogl, Moe Keller, Frank McNulty
- Gail Kassan, left. Margaret Guthrie, Dr. Stuart Kassan (board member)
- President and CEO Don Mares talks with Frank McNulty, holding Victoria
- Michael Lott-Manier, left, Ashley Hill and Nan Morehead
- Amanda Chaney, left, and Lorraine Salazar
- Jamie Gulick, left, Linda McNulty-Nutt and Connie Washington
- Mark Vogl, left, greets RJ Ross
- Tribute Co-Chair Chuck Reyman and Barbara Reyman
- Dr. Carl Clarke, Marcelo Kort, Dr. Haydee Kort, Gregorio Kort and Allison Kort
- Monika DeWitt, left, and Karen Lyda
- Lisa Williams and Dr. Larry Spivak
- Cherry Hills Country Club has been the site for many championships
- Don Cook, left, and Cy and Lyndia Harvey
- An overview of the beautiful course
- The club provided a great buffet
- Board member Marty Waters chats with Sandra Rhodes PhD
- Roz Wheeler-Bell, left, Louise Boris and Matt Vogl
- Board member Pegi Touff and Moe Keller
- Moe Keller, left, chats with Edie Sonn
- Greg and Kat Torres
- Jerry Dunn talks with Steve Edmonds
- Little Victoria is the belle of the ball
- Moses Brewer and board member Gwen Brewer
- Juan Chapel, left, Moe Keller and Edie Sonn
- Becky Plunkett, left, and Brealyn Landis helped to greet everyone
- A beautiful rose arrangement also greeted everyone
- Lyndia and Cy Harvey chat with Michael Touff
- Marty Waters, left, makes a point to Herb Merrill II (both board members)
- Board member Dyana Furmansky and Dr. Bert Furmansky, left, Monika DeWitt and Karen Lyda
- Jeff Schmitz, left, former Governor Dick Lamm and Jerry Dunn
- Mary Catherine Moss, left, Jennifer Hill and Ed George listen to the program
- President and CEO Don Mares welcomes everyone
- Tribute Chairs Chuck Reyman, Edie Sonn and Patty Cook talk to the crowd about supporting MHAC
- Tribute Chairs Edie Sonn, Patty Cook and Chuck Reyman
- Patty Cook and Don Mares wrapping up the program
- Former Governor Dick Lamm and Don Mares after the program
- Tribute Co-Chair Edie Sonn chats with Dick Lamm and Don Mares