Teen suicides in Colorado are among the highest in the nation. Over the past 10 years, the number of suicides among Colorado residents ages 15-19 has been slowly rising, according to this report from the Colorado Health Institute.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, suicidal behaviors among teens were likely exacerbated by social isolation, school closures and the loss of loved ones. Generally speaking, vulnerable adolescent populations exposed to adverse childhood experiences are at particular risk of suicide and related behaviors.

UCHealth and the Behavioral Health Administration have teamed up to provide greater access to behavioral health care for teens and their caregivers. In crisis or otherwise, virtual behavioral health care is available 24/7.

UCHealth applied for and received a grant from the state of Colorado to establish 24/7 on-demand state-wide crisis intervention and treatment services for emergent and urgent needs, a service to support Colorado youth through June 30, 2025.

A virtual health platform mitigates many of the social challenges that families face from economic instability, lack of transportation or geographic location. The online therapy platform allows increased accessibility and creates a safe space for participants.

“Having that space that’s not only safe but where they feel like they can relate, it increases that vulnerability for them to open up and talk,” said Ashley Hastings, behavior health clinical therapist for UCHealth’s Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program. “They come into group therapy and realize that they’re not alone. They have people there with them who share similar struggles.”

This grant-funded program enhances the existing VIOP program by adding intensive wrap around and crisis management services for teens and their caregivers and establish a caregiver support group.

“Our parent and caregiver support group is unique,” said Dr. Andrew Sylvester, medical director for UCHealth’s Virtual Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program. “We’re the only model I’m aware of that has a parent support group. We can offer one-on-one meetings with parents when they’re really struggling. Or we can do family therapy with the teen and the parents. Or the parents can come to a support group where we provide psycho-education, helping them understand their child’s struggles, and also teach specific skills like healthy conflict resolution.

“As a child psychiatrist, I’m looking at the child, but I’m also looking at the whole family system. And this is the first group therapy I know of that actually addresses that whole system with appropriate therapy interventions while also giving the kids their own space to talk about their issues. It’s a systems approach to improving whole-family functioning.”

Online therapy available to teens and caregivers include:

In partnership with Colorado Behavioral Health Administration, UCHealth offers the following virtual programs for adolescents ages 13 to 18. Most insurances are accepted, including Medicaid, and Spanish-speaking programming is offered.

Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

The Adolescent Intensive Outpatient Program is designed to help teens develop the skills they need to manage their emotions. The online group focuses on helping teens explore how their thoughts, feelings and behaviors interact with each other. The group also teaches adolescents effective coping strategies to regulate their emotions and reactions in stressful situations. Individual and family therapy are also offered in this program.

Adolescent Outpatient Program (OP)

The Adolescent Outpatient Program focuses on reviewing and implementing the skills learned in IOP to help teens be able to better manage the daily challenges they face.

Adolescent Wrap-around Services

Additional support and connection for teens and their families. Support can include school meetings, referrals, connections to post-discharge services and more. This program has set school year and summer hours.

Adolescent Caregiver Group

It can be difficult to know how to effectively support your teen while they are getting treatment. The Caregiver Group provides the opportunity to learn more about the skills and materials used in the adolescent IOP, as well as an opportunity to consult with some of the team involved in your teen’s care. This includes dialectical behavior therapy materials, discussions about care logistics and the change to talk about more specific subjects with a therapist and a case manager.