Mayor unveils “Pikes Peak Rising,” a mental health movement

(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Mayor Yemi Mobolade joined his wife, Abbey Mobolade on Wednesday, July 10, in unveiling the name of a new regional initiative on mental health, Pikes Peak Rising.

In 2023, 9.7 per 1,000 individuals received mental health services in El Paso County, according to the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration . Public health officials are increasing access to community health resources by making the process as easy as a click of a button.

The mental health movement marks a collaborative effort of more than 40 different organizations working together on boosting awareness of mental health needs in the Pikes Peak region, connecting people to the help they need, and building a more resilient community.

Pikes Peak Rising aims to address the growing mental health crisis as identified by the U.S. Surgeon General, and it is inspired in part by the Mobolade’s personal journey navigating the mental health landscape for family and friends.

“Everyone is on a journey, and sometimes that means you or someone next to you needs help from time to time,” Abbey Mobolade, a nurse educator and former critical care nurse said. “I want you to know that you are not alone. The collaboration of Pikes Peak Rising is to establish a dynamic, local place to share resources, tools, and help in a way that makes sense for you. No matter your trials or situation, hope is always here. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, we too can grab on to hope and look to the light. Together, we can rise.”

The Pikes Peak Rising logo is inspired by a phoenix rising over the mountains and represents the personal journey of each individual. While the traditional color representing mental health is green, Pikes Peak Rising offers inspiration through a warm and uplifting color palette of yellow and orange. The color is meant to shine a light on mental health needs while also offering hope.

El Paso County Public Health’s Pikes Peak Rising 360 , which launched Wed. July 10, is a key part of this initiative. The easy-to-access online portal was built by mental health and well-being experts. It aims to provide everyone with an engaging way to explore, discover, and match the best evidence-based self-help resources specifically for their needs and preferences.

“Public Health’s goal is to promote mental well-being, working collaboratively to highlight the importance of connecting people to credible resources to positively impact the quality of life while increasing resilience to navigate life’s ups and downs,” said Susan Wheelan, El Paso County Public Health executive director. “We appreciate the multidisciplinary organizations who are part of this collective effort, and look forward to building additional partnerships across all El Paso County municipalities— to provide a new online resource to connect people to self-help through curated, evidence-based resources.”

Other programs currently under the Pikes Peak Rising umbrella include the City’s 1,000 Neighborhood Gatherings initiative and the GRIT program out of the Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.

“Community activation is about mobilizing our community members to take ownership of their own flourishing and drive positive change,” said Mayor Yemi Mobolade. “Our community’s mental well-being is one of the primary objectives of our Strategic Plan because mental health is all of us. It will take a village to improve our community’s mental well-being, and Pikes Peak Rising is a symbol of hope, a much-needed platform, and a rallying cry to make Colorado Springs the leading city on mental health and wellness in the United States.”

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