Rural Behavioral Health Institute

In every classroom of 25 students, four have a treatable mental health condition and one or two have active suicidality. Fewer than half will receive care. Some of these students blend into the background. They are not visibly struggling. They are doing well in school and have friends. They don't ask for help. Everyone assumes these kids are doing just fine.

RBHI's Screening Linked to Care (SLTC) is designed to reach these students. For five school years, we've offered every school in Park County a free, confidential digital mental health screening: less than 10 minutes that can change the entire trajectory of a child's life. By screening every student in grades 3-12, SLTC rapidly identifies students who would otherwise go unnoticed. Those with suicidality do not leave school the day of screening without first meeting with a caring adult who makes sure they are safe, feel supported, and have a plan for feeling better. Because it can be challenging to find services, SLTC also offers free care navigation to help families find the right support. 

To date, we've identified nearly 150 Park County students with high risk of suicide. We connected all to essential care the same day they were screened. That's 150 children who were seen, heard, and helped.

Your gift keeps that lifeline open. Please give today. 

Testimonials

"Each time we screen our students we find at least one student who has been struggling that we had not previously identified. This can feel daunting - but then you see the relief from the student who is finally able to share their pain, and the parents who are so thankful that there are resources to support their child. We know if we are able to help our students and families in crisis connect to care, they will be provided the support they need to find their pathway forward!"
- School Administrator

"As both a parent and an educator, I have personally seen the impact that the Rural Behavioral Health Institute (RBHI) can have on a child’s life. Through RBHI, we were able to have our daughter screened and connected to the support she needed—something that would have otherwise required significant travel and delay. It has now been nearly a year since she began receiving services, and the difference in her confidence, emotional regulation, and overall well-being has been remarkable. One of the most meaningful aspects of RBHI is that services are delivered directly within the school setting. This has eliminated the need for us to travel over an hour to the nearest city, making consistent care not only possible, but sustainable for our family. As the Rural Behavioral Health Institute emphasizes, “access to timely, school-based behavioral health services can transform outcomes for children and families in rural communities.” From our experience, that statement couldn’t be more true. RBHI has not only supported our child—it has strengthened our entire family and allowed her to thrive in both her academic and personal life." – School Counselor