Health Information

As of July 2020, there is a state-wide mandatory mask order in Colorado. Those who are 11 years and older must wear a mask that covers their noses and mouths in any public indoor space and while using or waiting for public or non-personal transportation. To learn more about mask guidance, visit the CDPHE website and CDC website.

Local guidance

Coloradans should review guidance from their local health department and city government. As of October 2020, some counties have moved to stricter levels of the COVID-19 dial.

State guidance

As of June 1, 2020, Colorado has entered the "Safer at Home and in the Great Outdoors" phase of reopening. For more information and details, please read the Governor's June 1 press release and review the latest guidance on the CDPHE website. In accordance with CDC guidance, as of April 3, 2020, Governor Polis and CDPHE are urging Coloradans to wear non-medical cloth face masks or face coverings while out in public. Please find more information on the CDPHE website and in the Governor's April 3 press release.

If you develop symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in contact with someone who has it, stay home and avoid contact with others. Call ahead to your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms before going into their office. If you have a medical emergency, call 911 and explain your symptoms. Wear a face mask if you must interact with others or leave your home.

If you are a ColoradoSPH student or a ColoradoSPH at CU Anschutz employee who is experiencing coronavirus symptoms, you are required to submit a self-report. Not sure if you should submit a self-report form? Check out this helpful guide.

For those in Colorado, please visit the CDPHE website and follow the latest guidance. For those outside of Colorado, please visit your local health department website or the CDC website for additional information.

CU Anschutz employees, students, and members of their households have access to free COVID-19 testing from November 2020 through March 31, 2021. Several options are available, depending on whether you or your household member is showing symptoms of COVID-19 or has had a known exposure to anyone with the disease. Learn more about these options and how to get tested on the CU Anschutz coronavirus website.

Review the CDPHE's testing information. Anyone with symptoms should get tested, stay away from others, and follow the instructions on how to isolate. Find a community testing site.

1. Practice social distancing

If you are able to do so, stay home as much as possible and avoid public places. This recommendation is especially important for those who are at higher risk such as older adults and those with chronic health conditions. You should keep 6 feet or more between you and another person to reduce community spread, even if you’re young and healthy.

Social distancing remains important. For more information, review the latest guidance on the CDPHE website​. Coloradans should also review local guidance from their local health department and city government.

2. Wear a mask

Wear a mask when around others who are not in your household and in public settings. This is especially important when it's difficult to maintain social distancing.

As of July 2020, there is a state-wide mandatory mask order in Colorado. Those who are 11 years and older must wear a mask that covers their noses and mouths in any public indoor space and while using or waiting for public or non-personal transportation. To learn more about mask guidance, visit the CDPHE website and CDC website.

3. Wash your hands

Wash your hands with soap and water frequently for 20 seconds or longer. Sing the happy birthday song twice to make sure you’re washing long enough. Get all the nooks and crannies by washing in between your fingers, under your fingernails, and the front and back of your hands.

4. Cover coughs and sneezes

Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and immediately throw the tissue into the trash. If you do not have a tissue on hand, cough or sneeze into your elbow.

5. Stay home if you are sick

If you develop symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in contact with someone who has it, stay home and avoid contact with others. Call ahead to your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms before going into their office. If you have a medical emergency, call 911 and explain your symptoms. Wear a face mask if you must interact with others or leave your home.

6. Clean and disinfect regularly

Both clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, phones, countertops, and toilets regularly.

For additional guidance or to find educational materials that you can share with your community, please see visit the CDPHE and CDC websites.

Social distancing is keeping distance between yourself and others. The CDC recommends keeping 6 feet between you and other people, avoiding group gatherings, and limiting travel. For the latest recommendations and additional information, please visit the CDC website.

Social distancing helps reduce community spread of the virus. Not only does COVID-19 pose an immediate threat to the health of individuals, particularly those in high-risk groups, it also threatens to overburden our healthcare system.

If everyone, including young and healthy people, practices social distancing, it is less likely that a lot of people will fall ill at once and place a more significant strain on the healthcare system and healthcare resources. By practicing social distancing, you can help protect others, particularly those who are more vulnerable and more likely to become very ill from COVID-19.

For more information about the importance of social distancing and the impact on Colorado, please review the March 27, 2020 press release from Governor Polis as well as slides from the presentation. Dean Samet and other researchers at the Colorado School of Public Health as well as our colleagues from the University of Colorado School of Medicine and CDPHE worked together on the modeling data included in these slides.

COVID-19 questions

Suicide prevention and crisis support

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255); Crisis Text Line: Text “START” to 74-741
• Colorado Crisis Services: No matter what the crisis might be, if you or someone you know needs help, get in touch with Colorado Crisis Services to talk to a trained professional. Individuals can call 1-844-493-TALK or text TALK to 38255 to chat with someone who can listen and help. The centers also take walk-ins, with the Aurora center right on the CU Anschutz Campus.
  

Tips and tools

• National Alliance on Mental Illness: COVID-19 Resources and Information Guide
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services: Taking Care of Your Behavioral Health Tips
• Center for Workplace Mental Health: Working Remotely During COVID-19
• National Association of School Psychologists: Helping Children Cope

For all students

• CU Anschutz mental health resources: Find a list of CU Anschutz campus services available to help with everyday stressors and added pressures.
• Department of Psychiatry resources: Many COVID-19 support resources are listed on the School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry website. Resources include mental health clinic information, podcasts, mindfulness strategies, and more.
• Student & Resident Mental Health Clinic: Student and resident mental health appointments are available virtually. To schedule an appointment, please call (303) 724-4716 or email SMHservice@ucdenver.edu.
• Support groups: The CU Student and Resident Mental Health Clinic is offering a Zoom support group for students and residents who would like to talk to other students about how they are managing this situation with the facilitation of a student and resident mental health psychologist. This is a free, non-clinical group (i.e. you do not have to be a SRMH patient to participate, and insurance will not be billed). If you are interested please download zoom to your phone or computer, and email Dr. Noa Heiman (group facilitator) to sign up. The group will "meet" on Tuesdays and Fridays from noon to 1pm.
• Reading: Managing fears and anxiety around COVID-19
  

For ColoradoSPH at CSU students

• Counseling Services: CSU Counseling Services are available over the phone during typical business hours. Call (970) 491-6053 to access drop-in services. Call (970) 491-6053 to access drop-in services. If you need to speak with a counselor urgently when CSU Health Network Counseling Service is closed, call the 24/7 counseling line at 970-491-7111.

For all employees

• HR resources: To learn more about mental health support services available to employees, please view the latest information from the HR department of your home campus: CU Anschutz, CSU, and UNC.
• 5-minute meditation: CU Anschutz's National Mental Health Innovation Center is hosting 5-minute guided meditation exercises via Zoom every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 7:50 am. All are welcome to attend.
• Case Management Referral for students: If you know a student who is feeling overwhelmed, help to ensure they receive support. Please use the campus Case Management referral information. Students can also contact the Campus Student Health Center to talk to a mental health professional or counselor at 303-724-4716 or SMHservice@ucdenver.edu.

For ColoradoSPH at CU Anschutz employees

• CU Anschutz mental health resources: Find a list of CU Anschutz campus services available to help with everyday stressors and added pressures.
• Department of Psychiatry resources: Many COVID-19 support resources are listed on the School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry website. Resources include support and employee assistance phone numbers, podcasts, mindfulness strategies, and more.
• Faculty and Staff Mental Health Clinic: To schedule a virtual mental health appointment at the CU Department of Psychiatry Faculty and Staff Mental Health Clinic, please call (303) 724-4987 or email fsmh@ucdenver.edu.
• COVID-19 Narratives: A short writing program to help you process stressful experiences with a mental health professional. Over five weeks, participants will write one 20-30 minute response each week and receive confidential feedback from a mental health professional. No cost to CU employees.
• Employee Services: Additional information and resources for ColoradoSPH at CU Anschutz employees can be found on the Employee Services website.

The Population Mental Health & Wellbeing program at ColoradoSPH has launched a mental wellbeing survey to assess the effects of imposed social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. This survey is open to U.S. and international participation. We welcome your participation, and we encourage you to share the survey with your networks.

Take the survey >