If you or someone you know is struggling, consider using Memorial Regional Health’s Behavioral Health Services.

Moffat County is at a critical crossroads, with a profound need for behavioral health services that has become impossible to ignore.

In 2024, the county faced a heartbreaking reality, breaking a record for deaths by suicide—one Austin Hill, Memorial Regional Health’s Behavioral Health Navigator, is determined never to break again.

“That (suicide) in and of itself, that’s a problem, but also connected to many other problems in our community, including job security, financial security, housing security, recreational activities….this is a complex problem,” said Hill, who is a Marriage and Family Therapist Candidate actively pursuing independent licensure in Colorado. He completed both his undergraduate and graduate education at Liberty University, earning a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2023.

Memorial Regional Health’s behavioral health teams (inpatient and outpatient), alongside community partners, are answering the resident’s needs by focusing on providing compassionate, flexible and accessible services.

Hill and his team provide dedicated 1-to-1 monitoring for individuals in crisis who are at imminent risk of harming themselves or others, ensuring their safety and well-being while they receive care in the emergency department and other inpatient areas. The team consists of nine Safety Advocates or PRN staff who are on-call and respond at a moment’s notice. The team also includes Ashley Ellis, who collaborates to deliver essential services, connections, and support. For example, a patient recovering from surgery might share during conversation that they’re facing challenges like housing insecurity, food insecurity, substance use, depression, or other mental health concerns.

“We connect them to the services they need, whether in the community or at the hospital, to prevent these challenges from escalating,” Hill explained. “It’s about taking the opportunity to intervene, interact, and mitigate issues before they grow more serious.”

In addition, Hill and the team work with patients in crisis, helping them connect to essential services through a warm handoff to community partners or the MRH Behavioral Health outpatient team with licensed counselors, Melissa Almon, LCSW and Lynae Ellgen, LCSW. This ensures patients are supported not only in their immediate moment of crisis but also in building long-term, sustainable wellness and thriving in the future.

MRH Outpatient Behavioral Health Services

Memorial Regional Health’s outpatient behavioral health team provides comprehensive mental health care for patients ages three and older. The team collaborates with doctors and other care providers to deliver integrated mental and medical health treatment.

Almon brings expertise in addiction counseling, Accelerated Resolution Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), combining these skills with her extensive experience in Home Health and Hospice care.

“It’s such a privilege for people to trust me enough to talk about what may be their darkest moments,” Almon said. “And therapy works. I’ve seen therapy change lives. Making a positive impact in people’s lives is a privilege.”

Ellgen specializes in working with children and young people, helping families address issues early to foster resilience and growth. She also supports adults in identifying the roots of their struggles, reframing thought patterns, and making small changes that lead to transformative improvements.

“I really care about people. I feel like everybody has a great potential to connect with others, be happy, and enjoy their life,” said Ellgen. “I know life can be difficult. We all go through periods that are hard. But when we actively work through our challenges, we can look forward to joy and good relationships. There’s hope and a good future ahead for all of us.”

In northwest Colorado, efforts are ongoing to address the stigma surrounding mental health and behavioral health services. Many still perceive seeking counseling or behavioral health support as taboo or unnecessary, which discourages people from accessing the care they need. The MRH behavioral health teams are working to change this perspective by framing their services as a way to enhance personal growth and well-being rather than “fixing” something broken. Behavioral health can support individuals in various aspects of their lives, from improving career development to strengthening relationships with partners, children, or coworkers, and even enhancing self-care to manage stress, anxiety, or depression.

“The focus is on helping individuals become “bigger, better, faster, stronger” versions of themselves, fostering understanding and acceptance of behavioral health as a resource for empowerment and personal development,” said Hill.