Youth on Record is Spreading the Word about I Matter’s Free Youth Mental Health Sessions 

In May, the Colorado State Legislature renewed I Matter, a program that provides up to six free counseling sessions for any Colorado youth. With the new funding, the program will extend until at least June 30, 2024. 

Youth and their parents can visit the I Matter platform to take a confidential online survey about their mental health and schedule sessions with a licensed therapist, primarily via telehealth. All Colorado youth ages 18 or younger—or 21 and younger if receiving special education services—are eligible to receive free services. Youth 12 and older can sign up for counseling sessions without a parent or guardian's consent. 

Nearly 36,000 counseling appointments have been scheduled by youth in Colorado since I Matter launched. There are currently 150 licensed therapists supporting I Matter, and the list is growing.

A Spanish version of the I Matter site is available at YoImportoColorado.org, and the program has clinicians who can provide services in Spanish. 

You can read this testimonial from Melyssa, a parent in Fort Collins: 

"My son, who is a high school freshman, just used the service. I have nothing but praise. Starting with the website: it is awesome from a user experience. Easy to navigate and book online with a lot of providers to choose from. Clear communication about what to expect and when the appointments would be. Then, the part I am floored about, is that the sessions are free. 

I literally spent six weeks trying to find counseling services locally for my son. I even had a list of resources I reached out to via email and phone calls. There were delays, with a lot of relaying of personal information before being told there wasn't availability, or that we would need to do prescreening for $250 and then another $150+ per session when times opened up. 

I get it - there's a mental crisis happening across the country and therapists are struggling to keep up. But all that changed when Kailee at Restore (a restorative justice program) told me about I Matter. Within minutes, my son had booked an appointment and within days, had his online appointment. 

I Matter is providing an invaluable service and I want you to succeed!"

After approximately 3 to 6 sessions, as recommended by the licensed therapist, I Matter’s care navigators can help youth after their free sessions, and, where possible, connect youth with providers who accept their insurance, such as Medicaid or their private insurance. When children are uninsured, care navigators can connect families to resources to help with cost. I Matter may be able to pay for more than six sessions depending on demand and availability. 

If you want to share news about this important resource for Colorado youth, you can help by sharing these social media graphics or ordering free I Matter materials such as posters, rack cards, banners, stickers and lawn signs through this form. You can also help spread the word by adopting this email signature. 

If you have questions about the program, please see the FAQs for more information here.