Mental Health Partnerships and Grants

In July 2021, CDA was awarded a $500,000 from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), to support the vitality and mental wellbeing of Colorado's agricultural workers and producers through community-based efforts to manage the increasing stresses on our agricultural communities.

Through this grant, CDA worked with five sub-grantee organizations to increase culturally competent training for crisis responders and increase awareness and access to mental health care for farmers, ranchers, and ag workers. 

CDA partnered with the following organizations:

• Colorado Agricultural Addiction and Mental Health Program, which provides 6 free sessions with an ag competent provider. CAAMHP is a program of the Colorado Farm Bureau. 
• AgWell, a program connecting rural communities to stress management resources and is operated by the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union. 
• Colorado AgrAbility, which provides assistive technology to farmers and ranchers. 
• Valley-Wide Health Systems (formerly Southeast Health Group), a southern Colorado health provider which uses the Coffee Break Project to connect with local farmers and ranchers and build a peer support network within ag communities. 
• La Plata Family Centers Coalition, which works directly with agricultural workers in the Four Corners region of Colorado. 

Taking Stock of Mental Health webinar

To commemorate Mental Health Awareness Month, CDA hosted a virtual discussion about rural mental health. Watch the recording of our mental health virtual discussion below!

Mental Health Funding

During the 2022 legislative session, the Colorado Department of Agriculture received an appropriation of $200,000 to dedicate to mental health programs. CDA will distribute this funding through a competitive grant process. 

CDA’s grant objectives are to increase awareness of mental & behavioral health services and resources in Colorado, provide or help facilitate mental & behavioral health services, and continue the efforts to destigmatize mental health.  

Mental health is directly tied to the overall health of our rural and agricultural communities. 

According to Kaiser Family Foundation, 32 percent of Coloradans reported symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder in 2021. Additionally, rural youth in Colorado are twice as likely to die by suicide, according to Colorado Rural Health.

The Mental Health Grant Program will be administered by the Agricultural Drought and Climate Resilience Office (ADCRO). 

Four Behavioral Health Projects Serving Rural Colorado Funded by $200,000 in Competitive CDA Grants

CDA received 55 applications from organizations serving 63 of Colorado’s 64 counties, requesting more than $3.3 million in funding with the average request of approximately $65,000.

The four awarded applicants were:

• Community Health Initiatives will provide resilience and skills training to at-risk communities in Western Colorado, serving military, first responders, cancer patients, and aging adults and their families. The training teaches families practical skills to help them meet the challenges of military life such as deployments, stress, injury, and other transitions. Total grant amount: $61,000

• Loving Beyond Understanding, Inc. will increase availability and quality of care and services for LGBTQ+ community, including trans and nonbinary people, by providing counseling sessions to youth and parents. The project also funds cultural competency training for existing medical professionals and other service providers who interact with LGBTQ+ people in rural communities in Western Colorado. Total grant amount: $61,000

• Northwest Colorado Health will increase access to direct and indirect behavioral health services during primary and dental visits, while assuring providers maximize clinic time. Serving Routt and Moffat county, this funding will allow NCH to increase patient care and outreach to rural and agricultural communities. Targeted plans will be developed in collaboration with community partners such as the CSU Extension Office, the Community Agriculture Alliance and local 4-H Clubs. Total grant amount: $27,500

• Project Protect Food Systems Workers will distribute care kits and perform mental and behavioral health outreach to agricultural workers across the state. The goal of the project is to increase awareness of services and reduce stigma associated with seeking mental and behavioral health services among their target demographic, which includes low income, Spanish-speakers. Total grant amount: $50,000

The four projects will touch 34 rural Colorado counties, and provide services to several different at-risk and underserved populations including: agricultural workers, LGBTQIA+ youth and families, veterans and emergency responders, and cancer patients and their families. 

The Rural Mental Health Grant Program was funded by a one-time appropriation from the Colorado General Assembly during the 2022 legislative session.