Paragon Behavioral Health Connections’ mobile crisis unit has been serving Western Slope communities since 2024. Melissa King, of Norwood, has been a crisis response worker for 30 years and currently works as a member of Paragon’s mobile crisis unit. King said that she and her colleagues stay busy with calls, with 12- to 14-hour days being common.
The unit offers assistance with a wide range of vulnerable situations. King explained that not all calls require an in-person response, and can sometimes be handled over the phone. If the call does require an in-person response, she said the mobile crisis unit will meet callers at their home, at the public library, or wherever else the individual feels comfortable.
“Just because they call doesn't mean they're going to a hospital or being placed somewhere,” King said. “Our number one goal is to keep them home … Our goal is to be with them in that immediate crisis and then continue to be with them.”
People can call if they’re feeling scared or overwhelmed, and those who are concerned about a family member can call for advice on how to help their loved one.
“People don’t have to be suicidal to call,” King said.
Paragon’s services are free. They are funded by the state, the counties Paragon serves and insurance, although not having insurance does not impact one’s ability to receive help.
“It’s never even on our radar if you have money. We’ll ask if you have insurance, but that's it. It doesn’t mean you have to have it,” King said.
She added that the unit will help clients who qualify get on Medicaid or access other benefits.
The mobile crisis unit serves all age groups, from children to the elderly. King said there’s a consistent number of teens in the area that the unit helps, and added that local teens may be struggling due to a lack of activities. She said other places, such as Telluride, have a wider range of activities available for teens to engage and socialize in. West End teens may have fewer activities available to them, and when there are activities available, they may not have transportation. She said both of these factors can lead to isolation and worsen depression.
While Paragon assists struggling teens as much as the company’s resources will allow, King says there is an opportunity for the community to help. She wonders if community members could organize more activities for teens, such as helping out with horses, and parents possibly organizing carpools for gatherings.
“Getting them into some of these resources would be a huge healing factor,” she said.
Paragon also serves the area’s large population of seniors, who King said can easily become isolated and may need help securing food, medications and other basic needs, such as housekeeping. She encourages community members who offer paid services such as housekeeping, meal deliveries and home health care to reach out to Paragon, as the unit may need to utilize such services for clients but doesn’t always know who offers them.
Before Paragon’s mobile crisis unit was established in the area, King said there was another crisis unit fulfilling the need for mental health crisis care, but it was shut down by the state, due to lack of funding and other management issues.
The former unit was a co-response team, which differs from a mobile crisis unit. The other type of team responded to calls alongside law enforcement, and connected those experiencing a crisis to resources.
Paragon’s mobile crisis unit doesn’t always work with law enforcement, but it does receive many of its contacts through law enforcement.
“Our law enforcement agencies are both amazing,” she said. “They utilize Paragon, and know how to work kindly and respectfully with people who are having a mental crisis.”
Those experiencing a mental health crisis can call Colorado’s mental health hotline at 988, or call Paragon’s hotline at 970-343-7880. They can also call 911, which will link the caller to Paragon.
“The big key is we’re out here. We’ll help you,” King said.
To better provide services, Paragon is currently seeking a housing unit in Norwood, as it’s in the middle of the communities they serve, to house two on-call crisis workers.
This story is funded by the Telluride Foundation through a grant dedicated to health care reporting for 2026.
