Colorado to receive $65M mental health care grant

Colorado will receive $65 million in federal funds to help bring mental health treatment into the offices of primary care doctors.

The Denver Post reports Gov. John Hickenlooper announced the grant Tuesday after months of work by a team of experts trying to figure out ways to improve ties between mental health care and other medical care.

The money, which will be spent over the next four years, is part of a plan to make sure more residents receive mental health care when they need it by helping primary care doctors transform their practices to incorporate mental health professionals.

The federal government is giving out $665 million to several states, but Colorado was one of 10 chosen as a test site and is receiving more money for its health systems.