LWVCO created a Mental Health Task Force a year ago to look at mental health services in Colorado. It then became the Behavioral Health Task Force to include alcohol and drug treatment. There are different kinds of services and many paths to recovery from mental illness and from substance abuse. The public is invited to attend a panel discussion to address the State of Behavioral Health in Colorado on
Wednesday, Oct. 8, at St. Anthony Hospital in Lakewood.

The League was one of the first organizations to address social issues such as child welfare and child labor protection. Later, League supported equal access to education, employment and housing and moved on to adopt positions on meeting basic human needs including food, shelter and health services.

LWV Jeffco Event: Behavioral Health Panel will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at St. Anthony Hospital, 11600 W. 2nd Place, Lakewood 80228. Panelists include:

• Moe Keller, Vice President of Public Policy and Strategic Initiatives for Mental Health America of Colorado, who will discuss the organization and how it works as a catalyst for public policy and programming initiatives for independent organizations.
• Barbara Mattison, President-Elect of LWVCO and chair of the task force on Colorado's Behavioral Health System, who will present an overview of the final report.
• Vicki Rodgers, Vice President of Jefferson Center for Mental Health, who will speak on the center's innovations and service such as Mental Health First Aid programs and where JCMH sees the need for more resources.

Reservations are not required and there is no charge. The panel discussion will be held in the hospital's ground floor auditorium. Park and enter on the south side of the hospital.