Help Start Denver Adolescent Response Team

Denver Adolescent Response Team (DART) is here to support adolescents in crisis in the Colorado area, specifically adolescents who have faced adversity. DART specializes in working with adolescents experiencing suicidal ideation or have a history of suicide attempts. DART acknowledges how the pandemic has impacted the mental health of adolescents; our mission is to provide targeted solutions to help adolescents and their families heal. DART’s response to the mental health crisis our adolescents are facing is to provide evidence-based treatment by an interdisciplinary team. This team includes licensed clinicians, intake specialists and psychiatric nurse practitioners. DART’s goal is to minimize time by offering a “one-stop shop” treatment approach. Upon intake, adolescents will meet with a licensed clinician, an intake specialist and a psychiatric nurse practitioner. We work with our sister program, Denver Adolescent Therapy Group, to gain access to top-of-the-line mental health specialists who will assist in creating a supportive plan to improve mental health and overall wellbeing.

The objective of DART is to appeal to the drastic increase in demand for mental health services for youth in Colorado. The Surgeon General has categorized the mental health challenges impacting adolescents as a national emergency; there have been “increased rates of suicide attempts, especially in adolescent girls, increases in depression, anxiety and other mental health disorders.” According to the CDC, there was a 50.6% increase in suicide attempt emergency department visits among girls between 12 and 17. Colorado currently ranks 10th in the country for suicide attempts. These are all alarming statistics.

Due to the pandemic, resources for mental health have been limited. On average, it will take 5 to 9 days to receive treatment after being admitted to the hospital. DART aims to provide early intervention and preventive therapy in order to reduce hospitalizations when possible. DART also strives to work with families and schools to help identify early warning signs as well as preventative steps to reduce the need for inpatient care. DART aims to provide intersectional and gender-affirming care to marginalized populations.

We are currently fundraising to create a pro bono fund. DART believes everyone should have access to mental health services, no matter their socioeconomic status. With the pro bono fund, DART will be able to provide services to those who might not be able to afford the services otherwise. The continued fundraising efforts will go towards continuing education opportunities/trainings for our staff as well as the capability to expand DART into more rural areas of Colorado.

DART believes investing in our youth is investing in the future. Be a part of the change we need and donate today. Every dollar counts.