Lean on Me Award: Jared Polis & Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative

Jared Polis

Since the inception of Envision:You, Colorado Governor Jared Polis and his administration have been very supportive of the organization’s mission, and even recorded a public service announcement last fall for their “How to Have the Talk” campaign. 

Because of his commitment to advancing mental health equity, Polis will receive Envison: You’s Lean on Me Award. Envision:You honors mental health leaders, allies, and advocates with this award every year at their annual Garden Party. This year’s event will be held July 31 at the Denver Botanic Gardens.

“Envision:You created the Lean on Me Award to recognize individuals who actively work to improve the well-being of LGBTQ individuals who live with mental health and substance use disorders,” says Steven Haden, Envision:You CEO and co-founder. “I am grateful for Governor Polis’ support of Envision:You and thrilled to be honoring him with our second-annual Lean on Me Award. As the nation’s first openly gay governor, he has demonstrated his commitment to equity and inclusion for LGBTQ+ Coloradans. He has signed several landmark legislations into law that protect the rights of gay and transgender individuals, and his administration is working to improve the behavioral healthcare system to ensure culturally sensitive care is available to everyone, no matter their identity. Governor Polis is a dedicated advocate for improving the lives of LGBTQ individuals, and this award is a well-deserved recognition of his efforts.”

Polis took some time out of his busy schedule to chat with OFM.

How does it feel to be this year’s recipient of Envision:You’s Lean on Me Award?
I am deeply honored and know that it reflects the work of a big team that we brought together to really work on revolutionizing the successful delivery of behavioral health in Colorado.

What does winning this award personally mean to you?
Certainly, we do the work for its own sake, but when people acknowledge me in this way, it obviously is very meaningful to me. I am glad there are folks out there who acknowledge the good work that is being done. 

Why is mental health such an important issue for you?
It is important for Colorado. It is important for everybody. It is every bit as important as physical health, and of course, it even has a correlation with physical health. If we care about our successes, the state, Colorado for all—that includes those who have behavioral health challenges. 

I am sure your job as governor can cause severe stress, anxiety, and frustration. What do you do to keep your own mental health and well-being in check?
My hobbies include gaming; I play League of Legends. My partner and I watch TV or movies; we play board games with the kids. Those are some of my main hobbies.

Why do you think mental health is an issue that is often pushed to the side or swept under the rug?
It really shouldn’t be. Unfortunately, it is still stigmatized by many people, and you would be surprised how many people are willing to talk about things like, ‘I had a heart attack or had open heart surgery,’ but they are not willing to say, ‘I am in treatment for mental health; I have to go to a substance abuse treatment center,’ or ‘I am struggling with sobriety.’ I think we need to remove that stigma, have an open and honest discussion, and be able to support those who are friends and family members in need of help. 

Why do you think mental health is an even bigger issue in the LGBTQ community?
I think that many members of the LGBTQ community have issues related to stress and trauma or issues related to coming out and not being fully accepted by family, friends, or loved ones. Sometimes, that can manifest different ways throughout their lives.

What more do you and your administration hope to do to revolutionize the delivery of mental health services in Colorado?
Really avoid the replication of services across different agencies and levels of government and streamlining in a way where somebody in need of help can get all the help they need and links to resources in one place at the time that they need them in a very easy way.

I think we are moving forward. As I said, I expect some of the legislation will become law soon that comes out of this effort to streamline services and focus on the patient first. 

Visit cdhs.colorado.gov to learn more about the innovative changes underway in Colorado. For more information on Envision:You, visit envision-you.org. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing an emotional or mental health crisis, please contact Colorado Crisis Services by calling 844-493-8255 or text TALK to 38255.

Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative

by Ray Manzari

COVID-19 threw a wrench in many industries that used to rely on meeting in person, and one of the most heavily affected is the substance use recovery system. The pandemic and resulting public safety precautions have made a dramatic impact on important healthcare systems and recovery support. 

Colorado’s opioid overdose rate spiked 179 percent between 2001 and 2015, and in 2017, more than 500 Coloradans died of prescription opioid or heroin overdoses. An already precarious situation was made worse with the COVID-19 pandemic. People who are experiencing feelings of isolation and distress often use substances as a means of relief; furthermore, social support is a crucial factor in many individual’s recoveries. 

COVID-19, when paired with a substance-use disorder, has a considerable impact on the LGBTQ population. Studies have found that the queer community is at an increased risk of substance use than their cishet counterparts. In 2018, the misuse of prescription opioids or heroin was reported by 9 percent of LGBTQ folks, in contrast to 4 percent of non-LGBTQ people. 

“The higher prevalence of substance use disorders, including opioid use disorder, among LGBTQ+ people can best be understood within the framework of minority stress. Starting at a young age, LGBTQ+ individuals live with everyday discrimination, marginalization, and victimization based on their sexual and gender minority statuses. The stress caused by such high levels of external stigma can disrupt an individual’s psychological processes, such as the ability to cope adaptively, regulate emotions, and achieve positive interpersonal relationships. To escape or mute these challenging emotions, some LGBTQ+ people turn to opioids and other substances that provide a sense of euphoria or relief,” says Steven Haden, chief executive officer and co-founder of Envision:You. 

The Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative has taken action to help prevent further loss of life to overdose, and share the best practices for prevention. RALI works with state and national community leaders to address the growing concerns of the opioid crisis. They provide instructions on how to safely use and dispose of prescriptions as well as signs of substance use to look for in friends or loved ones. 

In acknowledgment of the work RALI has done Envision:You has presented them with the 2021 Lean on Me Award which recognizes outstanding organizations making a positive impact on the health and wellness of the LGBTQ community. 

Haden continues, “Envision:You is pleased to recognize the Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative with its 2021 Lean on Me Award. Every year we recognize an organization that has been a vital partner in our effort to address the behavioral health needs of the LGBTQ+ community. In Colorado and across the United States, RALI is committed to supporting innovative programming that reduces the dependence and impact of substance use disorders among LGBTQ+ individuals.”

Representatives from RALI provided the following quote regarding their recognition: 

“RALI Colorado is grateful for the partnership we’ve built with Envision:You and the LGBTQ community.  Receiving the Lean on Me award is a special honor, but the real recognition belongs to OFM, Envision:You, and the many others who dedicate their lives to serving the community. There is still so much work to be done in supporting the community through COVID and the stresses of everyday life.  RALI Colorado is honored to be part of the journey with you.”