8 The News-Press
December 9, 2021
HELPING FROM PAGE 1
family members, residents contemplating suicide or people struggling with alcohol and substance abuse. ‘Amazing how brave people can be’ Clinician Ellen Pronio explains that her job is to help get residents and families back on track by cutting through red tape, offering an understanding perspective and assisting in developing a plan that a case manager will take over. In the CRT visit to the Highlands Ranch home, the mom talks about the night before, when both her teenage son and daughter were struggling, Pronio and case manager Steve Kalisch ask questions. The mom shows them a lengthy list of therapists she was provided, saying she already called some on the top of the list and they are not taking new patients. Kalisch quickly scans the list and stresses that it’s useless and he can do better. He knows many of the therapists on the list are not accepting new patients and can charge as much as $200 an hour. As the mother explains that she does not currently have health insurance, Kalisch asks if she would be OK with him cutting through the red tape, saving her time in making pointless calls, and allow him to help. She says, “Yes.” As a case manager, Kalisch said he knows which therapists are taking patients, which ones are affordable and where to send families who do not have time to call every therapist on a list. Kalisch does not always ride with the team but said doing so on occasion helps him connect with citizens even more. “I am proud of this team,” Kalisch said. “I have seen cases that are serious and (Pronio) talks and gets them to agree to help.” Pronio said every person is different. “It is amazing how brave people can be,” she said. “We ask questions and get honest answers. They are not playing phone tag or getting forwarded to some second or third party. They are getting direct help right away. Most people are willing to accept help and have the power to make their own decisions in those moments.”
Clinician Ellen Pronio has worked to change how police answer calls dealing with citizens struggling with mental health. PHOTOS BY THELMA GRIMES
A need for security During the week, the sheriff’s CRT covers all of unincorporated Douglas County, driving to homes and calls from Highlands Ranch to SEE HELPING, P9
PART TWO IN A SERIES This story is the second part of a three-part series on the Douglas County Mental Health Initiative. Part 1 was published in last week’s print edition, and you can read it online at tinyurl. com/MHIWeek1. Part 3 will appear in this paper next week. In 2018, Colorado Community Media published “Time to Talk,” an extensive series on mental health issues in Douglas County and elsewhere. To read that report, go online to coloradocommunitymedia.com/timetotalk.
Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy Zachary Zepeski prepares to drive the Community Response Team to citizens for the day. PHOTO BY THELMA GRIMES
