Our work in:
Behavioral Health
Behavioral health is the connection between mental health, substance use and our overall wellbeing that is foundational to a thriving community.
But for too long, the systems meant to support how we think, feel, and act have been siloed, underfunded, and out of reach—especially in rural and underserved communities.
Work in action
Our work focuses on the bigger picture, helping to build the civic infrastructure within communities, including:
Strategic, behind-the-scenes support that helps drive mental health and suicide prevention efforts in southern Colorado
Helping community leaders access and utilize opioid settlement funding more effectively to strengthen their
local response.
Connecting organizations and people with resources and ideas that strengthen capacity and deepen impact.
Strengthening Colorado’s Opioid Response
Work in Focus
As a result of national lawsuits against opioid manufacturers and distributors, Colorado is receiving more than $750 million over 18 years to address the harms caused by the opioid crisis. These settlement dollars are meant to fund prevention, treatment, recovery, and harm reduction efforts—but turning that funding into real, lasting impact takes more than good intentions. It takes collaboration, transparency, and trust.
Since 2017, ChangeLine has worked with local and regional stakeholders in coming together to better understand what’s working and what’s getting in the way.
Through our role in the Behavioral Health Action Network and our involvement with ROAC 16 (which covers El Paso and Teller Counties), we’ve helped community organizations navigate the funding process, elevate questions and concerns, and share feedback to improve how decisions are made.
In 2024, we partnered with the Colorado Attorney General’s Office to take this work statewide—interviewing representatives from eight Regional Opioid Abatement Councils (ROACs) to learn from their early experiences. The result is a set of emerging best practices and lessons learned that can help ROACs across the state strengthen their efforts and build the kind of systems our communities deserve.
In El Paso and Teller Counties, suicide continues to impact individuals, families, and entire communities. But it’s not an issue any one person—or organization—can solve alone. Reducing suicide rates requires a shared commitment, a deeper understanding of root causes, and a system that’s equipped to respond with compassion and care.
At ChangeLine, we support two efforts that are leading this charge: the Suicide Prevention Collaborative of El Paso County and the Teller County Mental Health Alliance. These coalitions bring together behavioral health providers, school districts, law enforcement, local government, and people with lived experience to design region-specific strategies that save lives.
Supporting Community-Led Suicide Prevention
Work in Focus
Our role is to support the behind-the-scenes work that makes collaboration possible. We facilitate meetings, help align priorities, develop shared tools and messaging, and create the conditions for long-term systems change. Whether it's expanding access to crisis support, strengthening postvention efforts, or building capacity for workplace mental health, we’re proud to walk alongside these communities as they chart a better path forward.
ChangeLine has been a key supporting partner for the Pikes Peak Continuum of Care (PPCoC)—our region’s HUD-mandated planning body addressing homelessness in our region.
Get connected
To learn more or work together in this area, email our behavioral health program and engagement staff.
