Johnson Depression Center Impact Report 2020

Building our Capacity to Provide Mental Healthcare HELEN K. & ARTHUR E. JOHNSON FOUNDATION

2020

IMPACT

REPORT

For more than 13 years, the Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Depression Center (JDC) has maintained an unwavering dedication to diagnosing mental illness, expanding community outreach programs and reducing the stigma associated with treatment.

We are grateful for your extraordinary partnership and all that you make possible through your support.

It was an honor to take the helm of the JDC last year, marking the move of the center into the CU Department of Psychiatry. We are excited to create greater alignment between the various forces for mental healthcare on our campus. And, we look forward to continuing to build upon the foundation that you have created.

Without you, thousands of individuals and families would not have the services and care they need to live meaningful and productive lives. It is my pleasure to recognize your incredibly generous investments and show you what your support has accomplished.

Thanks to your help, we are building our capacity to provide mental healthcare for individuals and their families. On the pages ahead you will see examples of this inspiring work. You will also learn about the tools and strategies we have employed to address the growing need for mental healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

I hope you feel as proud as I do. These accomplishments are yours.

Warm regards,

C. Neill Epperson, MD Chair, Department of Psychiatry Robert Freedman Endowed Professor and Chair

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THE CU DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHIATRY AND THE JDC:

Aligning the CU Department of Psychiatry and the JDC meets a core mission of advancing

The Johnson Depression Center stands as a haven where countless patients receive transformative care for depressive illnesses and related mood disorders. Last year, the JDC moved into the CU Department of Psychiatry under the leadership of C. Neill Epperson, MD. The move represents the coming together of powers for mental healthcare treatment on campus and tremendous knowledge in the field combining as one united front.

The shared successes of the CU Department of Psychiatry and JDC will allow leadership to grow our state-of-the-art clinical programs and community education initiatives. By leveraging resources including philanthropic support, the department will better develop, promote and expand these new programs. Additionally, robust research infrastructure in the department will also serve the JDC by fostering a strong environment for the creation of new treatments and therapies. The transition of leadership will help to further break down silos in mental healthcare and innovation, and will accelerate the creation of advanced therapeutics for the treatment of psychiatric and substance use disorders.

excellence in clinical care and creating a foundation for growing research that informs the future of medicine. We are fostering an environment for interdisciplinary education and training in mental healthcare and critical areas such as the neuroscience of behavior.

Your support allows us to leverage our expertise to meet the vast needs of our state and the Rocky Mountain region.

— C. Neill Epperson, MD

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TACKLING THE PANDEMIC:

Support provided by the Helen K. & Arthur E. Johnson Foundation has allowed us to meet an increased demand for mental healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Johnson Depression Center acted swiftly and strategically to adapt existing programs and create new ones to meet the growing need for mental healthcare, particularly among vulnerable and high-risk populations.

The JDC continues to provide a high level of care to existing and new patients. In the beginning of the stay-at-home order, the department pivoted outpatient services to a telehealth platform, enabling providers to offer individual and group services virtually. Since then, we have completed more than 11,600 visits for over 900 unique patients. Our appointments increased by 9%, cancellations decreased by 8% and no-shows decreased by 1% compared to last year.

Our director of education and community programs, Alex Yannacone, MA, has completed a number of Working Minds trainings, with an uptick during the pandemic. This training helps reduce suicide by promoting mental health and encouraging early identification and intervention. Last summer, our trainings increased from 10 to 16 each month and average from 29 to 67 people per training. On average, we went from connecting with 290 people per month to reaching 1,072 people per month.

We are grateful for the trust that you have placed in the great work that our faculty do every day. With your support, we are delivering care to the CU Anschutz community and beyond.

11,600+ TOTAL VISITS

Providing Mental Healthcare Services for Veterans

Providing over

New clients admitted into our care MOS.

5

4

clinical services

Average length of treatment

*for clients discharged in 2020

Sets of couples admitted

383

VISITS COMPLETED EACH MONTH

UNIQUE PATIENTS

Extending Resources to Parents

The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic is delivering therapy services to post-9/11 veterans, their family members and loves ones during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Cohen Clinics provide high-quality, accessible care to support the entire military family.

288 4000 40

700+

900+

196

Clients admitted for individual counseling

Community-based referrals

*a 194% increase from 2019

Amy Lopez, PhD, LSCW, a licensed social worker, and Scott Cypers, PhD, an adolescent and adult psychologist, are working to address the challenges of parents during the pandemic. Drs. Lopez and Cypers talk about how to manage stress and provide strategies for continuing to navigate the pandemic through their five-week parenting webinar and presentations.

60 -175

2000+ views on YouTube

average viewers per week

3

people reached

presentations

543

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR:

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Helen K. & Arthur E. Johnson Foundation for its continued support of the Johnson Depression Center. Your generous support enables us to continue our mission of improving the lives of people with depression and mood disorders through clinical excellence, innovative research, community programs and education.

Last year, we were excited to see the move of the JDC into the CU Department of Psychiatry. Under Dr. Epperson’s leadership, the JDC will be bolstered by a partnership that will further our mission. This transition will provide our clinicians increased opportunities for professional development as the department gains a center of excellence.

As you are aware, 2020 was a challenging year. When most people think about the pandemic, the physical illness comes to mind.

However, this pandemic has taken an astounding toll on our mental health. Anxiety and depression levels have skyrocketed. Clinicians at the JDC — many of whom set the standard in telehealth — have continued excellent levels of care, providing patients the support and continuity of care desperately needed during these uncertain times.

We are fortunate to have experienced many impressive successes, most notably, through community programming delivered remotely.

Last year, we facilitated a virtual suicide prevention training to more than 1,100 employees at Boeing Corporation. We also held our first-ever virtual luncheon raising more than $400,000 – quite an impressive feat! We are grateful for our community of support and the selfless compassion that we have received.

We continue to expand the breadth and depth of work that we do as a Board. We are developing a robust suicide prevention program in the workplace, planning community education programs to reach more people in our state and we are focused on identifying qualified potential candidates for our board.

We continue to offer our support and advocacy for the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic as they provide mental healthcare to veterans and their families.

While we hope this year looks different, it may be a while before things return to normal. The toll this pandemic has taken on people’s lives, and their mental health, will be felt for years to come. Our goals are to continue to de-stigmatize mental health, encourage people to discuss and seek treatment and to make highquality care accessible to more Coloradans.

As a board, we remain committed to fulfilling the JDC’s mission.

We extend our upmost gratitude to the Helen K. & Arthur E. Johnson Foundation for your incredible generosity.

Thank you for all that you do to help us transform lives.

Sincerely,

Courtney Hughes Chair, CU Johnson Depression Center Board of Directors

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JOH N SON DE PR E S SION CENTER BOA R D M E M BE R S Ann Ayers, JD Tim Collins*

OUR NEWEST CHAIR MEMBER

Jennifer Cunningham Jack Eck, MD Angie Flug* Ross Fox Bridget Grier Courtney Dorn Hughes Carol McDermott Heather Mulvihill, MS, MA, LPC Elizabeth Peros Peyton (Pete) Perry Connie Wiegers George Wiegers *

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New 2020 JDC Board Member

C A ROL MC DE R MOT T Education Events Committee Chair Community Leader I was initially drawn to the Johnson Depression Center because of the educational outreach and resources provided to so many students, teachers and families. This support is changing the way people think about depression and mood disorders. At the JDC, we have started a valuable conversation regarding the understanding of mental health and when it is important to seek help. We also have people who are leaders in their fields, and our methods are backed by research, and we are truly making a difference across the country. The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the importance of our mission and how our outreach, through resources like telehealth, improves the lives of patients and their families.

My proudest moment professionally was being certified as a handler for my therapy dog, Krinkle. While training him and supporting his success at work for the past five years has

RECRUITING TOP TALENT:

OUR NEW CLINICIANS

required perseverance and dedication, he has enhanced the quality of care I have been able to provide. Some of the most heartwarming moments I have experienced therapeutically have been because of Krinkle’s work with clients.

— Samantha McBride, PsyD

S A M AN T H A M C B R I D E , P S Y D Licensed Clinical Psychologist Samantha McBride, PsyD, specializes in providing clinical therapy services to children, teens and adults experiencing mental health issues such as trauma, anxiety and depression. Having spent several years in community mental health, she values diversity and inclusivity and understands that there are many paths to wellbeing. Her perspective results in services that are firmly rooted in evidenced-based care and modified to meet individual needs. Samantha offers EMDR and animal-assisted therapy and hopes to further develop programming in these areas.

M e e t KRINKLE Krinkle loves going to work and wearing his therapy dog vest. He participates in animal-assisted therapy (AAT), which relies on targeted interventions to support people in meeting their therapeutic goals. AAT can be effective for a range of mental health issues including depression, anxiety and trauma.

Krinkle’s most popular trick is called “boop,” (touching his nose to a person’s nose). Although he loves everyone, Krinkle’s specialty is working with preschool and elementary school-age youth, and he thrives in group formats.

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KARMA FLORENCE, PMHNP-BC Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

REGINA CARLSON, PSYD Licensed Clinical Psychologist

As a psychiatric nurse practitioner, Karma Florence, PMHNP-BC, diagnoses and treats a variety of different mental health conditions with an emphasis on mood and anxiety disorders. Karma believes strongly in providing support and education to help inform patients’ decisionmaking related to lifestyle changes that promote their health and wellness. In her role, she strives to build a strong collaboration with each patient to promote their strengths and to focus on their individual needs.

Originally trained as an RN, Regina Carlson, PsyD, enjoys working with other disciplines as part of a team to meet a patient’s needs. She found a welcoming home at the Johnson Depression Center, where some of Colorado’s best multi-disciplinary team-based mental healthcare is offered. Regina works with adults in individual psychotherapy, seeing clients with a range of issues including depression, anxiety and other mood disorders. She enjoys helping clients learn skills that bring them relief and improve their ability to lead more satisfying and enjoyable lives.

Access to care has always been a huge challenge in our field. I am excited about the increased availability of telepsychiatry, which has the potential of reaching communities and individuals that would not otherwise be able to access care. The unexpected switch to telepsychiatry is helping to meet that need.

— Karma Florence, PMHNP-BC

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My proudest moments have been sharing in the successes of clients who have reached their goals and improved the quality of their lives.

A past client of mine is no longer experiencing depressive symptoms and has been able to successfully maintain a long-term relationship for the first time in his life. It is always the individual’s commitment and

DAVID BROWN, DO Adult Psychiatrist At the Johnson Depression Center, David Brown, DO, treats patients with a variety of mental illnesses including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, trauma and PTSD. He strives to provide high-quality psychiatric care, considering not only medications but also the lifestyle factors and underlying problems that can contribute to mental illness.

He also works as a consultant to UCHealth’s Family Medicine primary care clinics, offering virtual consultation for providers and their patients.

This opportunity has allowed David to provide access to patients that otherwise might have to wait months to see a psychiatrist to get the help they need.

work in therapy that gets them there, but I enjoy celebrating with them

At the JDC, I enjoy the opportunity to work in an outpatient setting

and feel proud of any part I’ve

where I can foster my interest in psychotherapy. I am also currently

had in their success.

studying the intricacies of psychodynamic psychotherapy at the

— Regina Carlson, PsyD

Denver Institute for Psychoanalysis. It thrills me to develop a deeper understanding of my patients and develop close therapeutic relationships in the process.

— David Brown, DO 9

THE ANSCHUTZ FOUNDATION AND UCHEALTH:

Our valuable philanthropic partners have aligned with us to drive progress toward one shared vision – that no one from the Rocky Mountain West needs to leave the region to access innovative and integrated mental healthcare services. An $8 million commitment from The Anschutz Foundation and UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital will make a meaningful difference for thousands of Coloradans through several key initiatives.

Providing World-Class Care: We are partnering with UCHealth in their commitment to integrate essential behavioral health services into all health system primary care sites.

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Building the Workforce of Tomorrow: We are developing future generations of experts in behavioral health by increasing opportunities for the recruitment and retention of clinicians and enhancing education and mentorship for students and young professionals.

Creating Better Diagnosis and Treatment Plans: By investing in translational research, essential equipment and the faculty that use it to conduct groundbreaking research, we are developing more effective treatments for patients.

JDC ANNUAL LUNCHEONS:

Our annual luncheons have brought together thousands of people with a common goal of removing stigma around mental illness through education and thought-provoking discussion. We are honored to have the partnership and support of so many passionate advocates for mental health such as the Helen K. & Arthur E. Johnson Foundation. We hope that you enjoy some highlights from our previous luncheons. Thank you for being part of our important work.

2019

2020

The ninth annual luncheon supporting the Johnson Depression Center took place on November 1, 2019, at the Seawell Ballroom at the Denver Center for Performing Arts. The event drew more than 730 guests and garnered more than $570,000 in support of mental healthcare. The luncheon featured Olympic skier and CU Boulder graduate Jeremy Bloom as the keynote speaker. Jeremy is a threetime world champion, two-time Olympian and 11-time World Cup Gold Medalist in skiing. He is also the only person to ski in the Winter Olympics and also be drafted into the National Football League. He was invited to speak at the annual luncheon as the executive producer of “The Weight of Gold,” a film that takes an in-depth look at Olympic athletes and mental health. Jeremy offered a compelling testimony about the need to recognize mental health as we do other ailments.

He also shared that even though successful athletes may suffer, there is hope and healing for all who are affected by mental illness.

The Johnson Depression Center held its tenth annual, and first-ever virtual luncheon on October 29, 2020. More than 300 faculty, staff, benefactors and friends of CU gathered for the event. The luncheon raised more than $400,000 from generous community supporters.

Among them were 25 individuals, and twelve of whom participated in the post-luncheon Sponsor Q&A. The luncheon featured a panel of experts offering insights on the mental health landscape of Colorado during the pandemic. Topics included meeting patients’ mental health needs during COVID-19, using telehealth to conduct visits and preventing a widespread mental health crisis through community outreach. The panelists also shared tips for how to manage the anxiety, stress and isolation that we are all experiencing during this uniquely difficult time.

“Shredding the Stigma” of Mental Illness

Addressing Depression and Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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for your enduring support. Because of your generosity and visionary leadership, we are reaching thousands of people who need our care.