Dear Valued Client,

We are writing to inform you as a client we serve who has healthcare coverage through Anthem, that Jefferson Center for Mental Health is transitioning out of Anthem’s network of providers as of July 21, 2025.  

We understand that this news may be concerning. Our decision to terminate this contract has not been made lightly, but unresolved challenges to be paid adequately and in a timely manner impact our ability to sustain services to Anthem members. We have always strived to deliver the highest quality of care and support you and our communities, and this change is necessary to ensure we can continue to do so.

We deeply regret the distress this may cause. We are committed to ensuring a smooth transition for all clients who are impacted by this change, with a few options to consider: 

• You can choose to stay with Jefferson Center as a self-pay client. The cost change may be substantial, so we encourage you to reach out to our billing office at 303-432-5050 or insurance@jcmh.org to discuss your situation, your coverage, and this change.
• Contact our Central Navigation team at centralnavigation@jcmh.org to help connect with other in-network providers. 
• Reach out to Anthem to review coverage options. 

Please know that your health and wellbeing are of utmost importance to us. We remain dedicated to providing you with exceptional care and support and will continue to do so throughout this transition period and beyond.

Thank you for your understanding and continued trust in Jefferson Center for Mental Health. If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,

Jefferson Center for Mental Health

Looking for a more individualized approach to your well-being? Our trained health coaches are here to help! Coaching is available as a six-session series to help you achieve your goals. Your coach will meet with you to talk about what’s important in your life, where you’d like to be, what your past successes are and more. They’ll then work with you to create a SMART goal and actionable small steps to achieve your goal.

Examples of goals are: drinking more water throughout the day, managing your stress, packing a lunch instead of eating out, sleeping eight hours a night, incorporating movement into your day and more.

Coaching is offered as a mix of in-person or zoom sessions with shorter telephone check ins as well. Coaching is free and open to clients and community members! You do not need to be participate in therapy at Jefferson Center to attend health coaching. For more information, please email: wellnessnow@jcmh.org

Resources & information for parents

It’s not fun – or even easy – to talk about, but this month we’re talking about suicide.

Talking about the issue of suicide makes many of us feel uncomfortable, helpless and perhaps even frustrated. For those who know someone who has died by suicide, it impacts friends, family and the entire community. It is devastating; it is also preventable. The more the community learns about risk factors and warning signs, the more lives can be saved.

September is suicide prevention month and with the news of Colorado suicide rates in the news lately (read here, here or here,) it’s apparent now is the time we start asking a simple question.

Are you ok?

Those three words can be so powerful for someone who is considering suicide.

It feels overwhelming or scary to talk to someone about suicide and there are many myths that go along with conversations around suicide. Here are three of them:

Myth: If a person is determined to kill him/herself, nothing is going to stop them.
Fact: Most suicidal people do not want death; they want the pain to stop. And talking about that pain with someone may help.

Myth: People who contemplate suicide are people who were unwilling to seek help.
Fact: People often give warning signs when they’re thinking of suicide. They want help. Studies of suicide victims have shown that more than half had sought medical help in the six months prior to their deaths.

Myth: Talking about suicide may give someone the idea.
Fact: You don’t give a suicidal person ideas by talking about suicide. The opposite is true-bringing up the subject of suicide and discussing it openly is one of the most helpful things you can do.

Jefferson Center also offers suicide resources, please see the suicide prevention section of our website.  We also offer training throughout the year.

Grand gestures aren’t always needed when talking about suicide. Often it’s the little things, the smaller conversations that can make the biggest impact. Reach out to someone who may be struggling, you never know how grateful he or she could be because of one simple conversation.

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Shannon Gwash is the Director of Wellness Services for Jefferson Center and is also a Certified Mayo Clinic Wellness Coach. She earned her MS from the University of Denver in Strategic Health Communications/Behavior Change. She has nearly 10 years of experience in the communication world and nearly three in parenting … which clearly makes her an expert there. To stay sane, she runs around Sloan’s Lake, hikes with her daughter, enjoys outdoor concerts and reads nerdy books.