Meet Sandy Iglehart of Aspen, Co

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandy Iglehart.

Hi Sandy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Losing my daughter to suicide in May of 2009 in Aspen, Co. sent me on a journey that resulted in changing and saving lives. It started conversations and heightened awareness for a difficult subject matter. After this immense loss I became involved with the Aspen Valley Medical Foundation and one year later after Courtenay’s death we opened the Aspen Hope Center in June of 2010. It is a private Mental Health Crisis Intervention Agency one of only three in the nation.

There is a huge stigma surrounding mental health and I was galvanized to help eradicate the shame, and begin a dialogue with others and share our family’s story. We serve this valley from Aspen to Rifle Co. In April of 2018, we were approached by Eagle/Vail to open a Hope Center and we did in September of 2018. We have a unique model for Mobile Crisis and our team will meet people where they are and assess the crisis with the goal to keep people out of the once they are stabilized. It has been amazing and humbling to work with an extraordinary Executive Director and staff who serve this community with compassion and commitment.

I can’t begin to imagine how difficult this all must be, but I think talking about the challenges and how you’ve overcome them might help inspire others.  If your okay with it, we’d appreciate you touching on some of those challenges?
There have been many challenges and roadblocks in our ten 1/2 years in existence. In October of 2013 we came very close to losing the organization. The foundation that incubated us for the first three years dissolved, and we were left without funding and our Director Michelle Muething and I raised enough funds in six weeks to save the center. We have grown exponentially providing vital services and expanding education and community partnerships. We have been recognized by the State of Colorado for our unique approach to mental health and its success in saving lives. Of course we have experienced many obstacles along the way but we have remained steadfast and true to our mission sometimes to our detriment financially. We are committed to “staying in our lane” and not to be “all things to all people.” One of our primary tenets is education and awareness on issues of mental health. We are now having School Clinicians in over nineteen schools from here to Eagle, Co.

They are able to connect directly with students on a daily basis and give them coping tools. Because of this pandemic the need is staggering for students and teachers trying help navigate these issues. Telehealth is a huge help with connecting with people, but we find in person the best way to assist when if at all possible. The stress levels for so many are increasing and now more than ever people need mental health support. The good news is that people are now seeking helps more than ever before and our volume of calls has increased considerably. Clients are coming in for therapy on a regular basis.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What resonates with me more than anything is continue to speak out about the importance of “CONNECTING” with others on an ongoing basis. Being isolated on an ongoing basis is a recipe for disaster and without this connection, drives people to not have HOPE. Our tagline for 10 years has been CONNECT HOPE HEAL and we know we are making a difference here and now beyond. There is so much work to be done to bring awareness and it truly is happening. I am gratified knowing we are helping others. My daughter would be astounded at what has unfolded with mental health here and now in other counties. Mental Health is a very tough subject but now more than ever it deserves a spotlight. It is truly the fabric of every community. Let’s “Shine A Light” on it now…

Contact Info:

• Email: email: domogod@me.com

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