Colorado House Bill 21-1258 established this temporary behavioral health services program to provide access to mental health and substance use disorder services for youth, including addressing needs that may have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Anyone between 12 and 18 can go to the I Matter state website to take a short survey to assess their needs. If the results show they need help, the site will connect them to a provider for a 45-minute appointment in the next two weeks. One of the early questions asks if the young person is in crisis and directs those who answer yes to a crisis line and a more rapid response.
Children under 12 can also use the service but need a parent to do so, and young adults who are receiving special education services can access the free help up to age 21.
The program is funded until June 30, 2022.
https://imattercolorado.org/index.html
Source: I Matter website