Why Colorado’s I Matter Program Matters to Youth and Families: Expanding Access and Improving Well-Being

Background and Purpose: In 2021, Colorado House Bill 21-1258 established the I Matter program to expand access to mental health services for youth. Managed by the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration and administered by Signal Behavioral Health Network, I Matter provides up to six free counseling sessions for Colorado youth 18 years of age or younger. I Matter services are provided statewide in person or via telehealth, and youth 12 and up can sign up on their own (without permission from an adult).

Methods: This study aimed to understand how I Matter participants and/or their parent/guardian experience the program and whether there are changes in youth well-being after enrollment. Data were collected via a survey administered after participants’ first and third therapy sessions and again at case closure. Surveys were sent to the primary email address on file (whether youth or parent). The survey measured participants’ current well-being (personally, with family and friends, and with school and activities), whether they have felt better since starting I Matter (perceived change), and youths’ experience with their provider. Results are based on 96 youth and 101 guardian responses at Time 1, 40 youth and 44 guardians at Time 2, and 30 youth and 79 guardians at Time 3. According to administrative data, characteristics of the youth survey completers generally mirrored those of the larger population of I Matter participants.

Results: On average, across all three time points, youth indicated that their well-being was “OK” or “good.” Guardians’ ratings of youth well-being increased from the first to the third session, particularly those with youth age 11 and younger. For perceived change, 47-72% of youth across timepoints reported that they were doing better since starting I Matter while 36-68% of guardians reported the same. Most participants reported improvement by their third session, regardless of demographic characteristics, mode of therapy (in person or telehealth), or the degree of financial, emotional, or behavioral need indicated by their initial screening. After session one, participants receiving education services and participants who had better experiences with their provider were significantly more likely to report improvement. At case closure, younger participants, participants who had better current well-being, and participants who had better experiences with their provider were most likely to report improvement. Across timepoints, most youth (71-86%) and guardians (71-100%) indicated they would recommend I Matter. Youths’ and guardians’ open-ended survey feedback contained consistent positive themes about strong connections with providers, gratitude for access to mental health care, and a desire for more no-cost sessions to support ongoing well-being.

Conclusions and Implications: I Matter is an innovative and promising program that has been well-received by youth of all ages (and their guardians) statewide. This study suggests that most participants experienced improved well-being because of participation and that benefits extend to youth with a variety of demographic characteristics and need. Results suggest that state‑funded, universally accessible youth mental health services are feasible, equitable, and associated with improved well‑being thereby supporting policy decisions to sustain and expand public investment in youth behavioral health.