Make Mental Health a Priority this Year

By The City and County of Broomfield

Working on improving your mental health may be easier than you ever thought. May is Mental Health Awareness Month and this year the City and County of Broomfield (CCOB) is focusing on how our surroundings can positively impact mental health. There are numerous safe and healthy spaces across Broomfield offering connection to other people in the community and activities to positively impact well being.

Looking for a place to feel better? Take a walk outside! According to a 2022 survey conducted by Broomfield’s Open Space and Trails Department, over 90% of responders said parks, trails, and open spaces in Broomfield have a positive impact on their mental and physical health. Get involved with activities through Open Space and Trails such as Earth Planting Day on May 6 or Migratory Bird Day May 11. Early June events include the launch of Broomfield 100 and Broomfield Pride on June 3.

Staying active is always a recipe for a happier, healthier mindset. Recreation Services in Broomfield not only offer ways to stay physically active, but also ways to connect with an active community. Regular classes such as restorative yoga and healing sounds and meditation workshops are designed to rejuvenate the mind and calm the nervous system.

Youth for Youth (Y4Y) is consistently creating programs for youth to take care of their well being, both physically and mentally. Teens and tweens are invited to May 10’s Teen Self Care Night, a free evening of de-stressing at inventHQ Makerspace. Y4Y also has set up an interactive display at the Broomfield Library for the month of May about Reasons to Live. Learn more about Y4Y by following their Instagrams at broomfieldy4y and areason2livee.

If you’re an individual aged 55 or over, you may want to check out Senior Services programs to boost your mental health. Enjoy a time out listening and dancing to polka and other music by Jim Elrich with the Spring Fling Senior Dance on Thursday, May 18 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Healthy Heart lunches are a way to eat healthy and build connections with other seniors in your community. These lunches occur the first and third Wednesday of every month at the Lakeshore Cafe.

Engaging with the Library and Creative Broomfield supports mental health by bringing community members together allowing them to build relationships with one another. Offering more than just books, the Library and Creative Broomfield provide safe spaces and opportunity, growth, trust and connection—part of a thriving community where all belong. Try programs such as monthly Crafternoons or participate in groups such as the Outcast Knitters or Dungeons and Dragons club.

If you’ve ever had a friend or neighbor go through a mental or behavioral health crisis, you know it can be hard to know how to respond. That’s why as part of Broomfield’s Behavioral Health Improvement Plan, Broomfield is starting a Community Initiated Care model designed to empower everyone in Broomfield to recognize behavioral issues in a friend, neighbor or family member and take helpful action in the moment.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 9-8-8 or the Colorado Crisis Services at 844-493-8255 or Text “TALK” (8255) to 38255.

For more information on the programs mentioned and other ways to find mental health support, visit Broomfield.org/MHAM.