The Aspen Hope Center believes that to raise awareness and reduce the stigma of mental illness, education is key. The Hope Center offers several mental health classes, from We Can Talk, a suicide awareness class offered to schools, businesses and the community to Psychiatric Emergencies, which has been conducted with law enforcement, fire and EMS agencies. Additionally, Crisis Avoidance and Behavioral De-escalation training helps individuals prevent behavioral crises while on the job or in the community. This class has been taught in hospitals, schools, RFTA, with Ski Co employees and more.
The deep collaborations and partnerships the Hope Center has with local agencies, businesses and other non-profits is what adds to the care and healing that is able to be provided. Having school-based clinicians in Roaring Fork High School, Carbondale Community School, Colorado Mountain College, Carbondale Middle School and Ross Montessori allows prevention efforts, outreach and immediate intervention to reach our youngest at risk population. Partnerships with Basalt and Carbondale Police, Fire and EMS allow for emotional support, crisis mitigation and risk assessments to be done in homes and in the community. Friendships with businesses such as the Molly Gibson Lodge, The Gant and The Limelight help spread the word about the Hope Center to employees and when needed, allow for assistance with lodging. Pathfinders, Mountain Rescue, Challenge Aspen and more allow for connections to other local resources on a regular basis. Finally, in the winter of 2017, the Hope Center became partners with Glenwood Springs Fire Department, helping provide clinical supervision for their Peer Program. The gratitude for all the relationships held in the community is beyond measure.