Colorado youth will have continued access to free therapy sessions through the I Matter program thanks to an additional $6 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding following the passage of House Bill 22-1243. The program, which launched in October 2021, provides accessible, confidential and non-judgmental behavioral health services to any Colorado youth.
The I Matter program offers up to six free mental health sessions with a licensed provider and is open to youth 18 years of age or younger, or 21 years of age or younger if receiving special education services. Parents of youth 11 and younger need to consent to services for their youth. With the new funding, the program extends until at least June 30, 2023, and could continue until June 30, 2024, depending on how quickly funds are expended. The funding was originally set to expire June 30, 2022.
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Accessing services
Visit IMatterColorado.org and YolmportoColorado.org to take a confidential online survey about mental health and schedule sessions with a licensed behavioral health clinician.
Since the program launch, nearly 2,600 Colorado youth have participated in at least one therapy session and youth from 54 Colorado counties have scheduled an I Matter session. More than 7,500 therapy sessions have been completed or are upcoming. Therapy sessions are free and primarily scheduled via telehealth to increase geographic reach across Colorado for urban, frontier, rural and Tribal populations, removing known barriers to accessing mental health services. More than 150 licensed clinicians participate in the I Matter program.
With Gov. Jared Polis' signature, HB22-1243 guarantees Colorado youth, adolescents and parents access to I Matter services in English and Spanish for at least one more year, which is vital support as children and adolescent mental health challenges are growing increasingly widespread.
“The I Matter program provides for youth what the new Behavioral Health Administration aims to provide for all Coloradans — accessible, equitable and effective behavioral health care,” said Dr. Morgan Medlock, the state’s first Behavioral Health Administration commissioner. “We look forward to continuing to serve any Colorado youth with free mental health care and to the ongoing focus on the well-being of youth in our state.”
“Seeking help is a strength that can also feel overwhelming. With guaranteed funding for the next year, I Matter will continue to meet youth and parents where they are, bringing a direct connection to care, an outlet to share, and a reminder that Colorado youth matter,” Medlock said.
If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs help dealing with one, call 1-844-493-TALK (8255) or text TALK to 38255 to speak to a trained professional. Learn more at coloradocrisisservices.org.