You Don’t Have to Wait: Mental Health Support Starts Here

May is Mental Health Awareness Month — and Advanced Urgent Care is here to help.

Every May, communities across the country pause to acknowledge something that affects millions of Americans every day: mental health. This year’s Mental Health Awareness Month is a reminder that emotional and psychological wellbeing isn’t separate from physical health — it is health. And for many people in the Denver metro area, getting that first step of support can feel overwhelming. We want to change that.

At Advanced Urgent Care & Occupational Medicine, we believe healthcare should meet patients where they are — not just for broken bones and fevers, but for the full picture of what it means to feel well.

Why Mental Health Awareness Month Matters

The numbers are hard to ignore. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, approximately 1 in 5 adults in the United States experiences a mental health condition each year. Anxiety disorders, depression, and post-traumatic stress are among the most common — and among the most undertreated.

Here in Colorado, mental health challenges are a very real part of daily life. The state has historically faced higher-than-average rates of depression and anxiety, compounded by seasonal shifts, altitude, and for many residents, the isolation that can come with a fast-growing, transient metro area.

The Denver region is home to thousands of people who are quietly struggling — often unsure where to turn, or hesitant to make mental health care a priority.

Mental Health Awareness Month exists to break down that hesitation. It’s a time to talk openly, to reduce stigma, and to make sure people know that support is available — and that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

How Urgent Care Fits Into Mental Health

You might not think of an urgent care clinic as a mental health resource, but the connection is stronger than you’d expect. Physical and mental health are deeply intertwined, and urgent care providers are often on the front lines of identifying when something more than a physical symptom is going on.

We can help with:

• Screening and initial evaluation. Whether you’ve been feeling persistently low, anxious, or unlike yourself, a visit to our clinic can be a low-barrier starting point. Our providers can conduct initial mental health screenings and help determine appropriate next steps.

• Medication bridge prescriptions. If you’re between providers or experiencing a gap in care, our team may be able to help with short-term medication management to keep you stable while you get connected to longer-term support.

• Physical symptoms tied to mental health. Anxiety can cause chest tightness, rapid heart rate, and shortness of breath. Depression can manifest as fatigue, body aches, and sleep disruption. When a patient comes in for these symptoms, our providers are trained to look at the whole person — not just rule out a cardiac event and send them home.

• Referrals and care coordination. We can connect you with behavioral health specialists, therapists, and community resources in the Denver metro area. You don’t have to navigate the system alone.

Urgent care isn’t a replacement for ongoing mental health treatment — but it can be the door that opens that conversation.

Denver Metro Mental Health Resources

If you or someone you love is struggling, know that there is real, accessible help right here in our community. These resources are available now:

988 Colorado Mental Health Line Call or text 988 anytime, 24/7. This is Colorado’s primary crisis line, connecting callers with trained mental health professionals at no cost. The line is free, confidential, and available in English and Spanish. You can also chat live at 988colorado.com.

WellPower Walk-In Crisis Center (Denver) 4353 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80220 Open 24/7/365, no appointment needed, no insurance required. This is a safe, no-cost space to receive crisis support, therapeutic intervention, and referrals. Anyone experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis is welcome.

Denver Health Mobile Crisis Services Call 1-844-493-8255 (now routes to 988 Colorado) Mobile crisis professionals can come to you — available 24/7 to residents of Denver and surrounding areas.

NAMI Colorado (National Alliance on Mental Illness) namicolorado.org Peer support groups, family education programs, and community advocacy for individuals and families navigating mental illness.

Jefferson Center for Mental Health (Jefferson, Clear Creek & Gilpin Counties) 303-425-0300 | jcmh.org Comprehensive mental health counseling, substance use treatment, and 24-hour crisis support.

Aurora Mental Health Center 303-617-2300 | aumhc.org Individual, group, and family therapy, medication management, and residential services.

Community Reach Center (Adams County) 303-853-3500 | communityreachcenter.org Outpatient counseling, crisis services, child and family programs, and substance use support.

All Health Network (Arapahoe & Douglas Counties) 303-730-8858 | Crisis: 303-730-3303 | allhealthnetwork.org Walk-in crisis center, adult counseling, child and family therapy, and medication management.

Crisis Text Line Text HELLO to 741741 Free, confidential text-based crisis support, available 24/7 nationwide.

Take the First Step This May

Mental health doesn’t have to reach crisis level before it deserves attention. If you’ve been feeling off, overwhelmed, persistently sad, or anxious — that’s enough of a reason to reach out. You don’t need a referral. You don’t need to have all the right words. You just need to show up.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, we encourage every patient, neighbor, coworker, and friend in our community to check in — with themselves and with each other. Ask the questions that feel awkward. Make the call you’ve been putting off. Come see us, even if you’re not sure what you need.

Advanced Urgent Care & Occupational Medicine is here for the full picture of your health — all year long, not just in May. Visit us at any of our Denver metro locations, no appointment necessary.