Colorado Mother Poses as 9-Year-Old to Test State Crisis Line, Shocked by Response

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Title: Colorado Mother Poses as 9-Year-Old to Test Crisis Line, Raises Concerns about Child Safety

Subtitle: Advocacy Group Calls for Investigation and Transparency in Colorado Schools

By Hannah Ray Lambert

[City Name], [State] – A shocking incident has brought to light potential flaws in Colorado’s crisis response system after a mother and parental rights advocate posed as a 9-year-old and texted a state crisis line promoted in schools. Lori Gimelshteyn, the Executive Director of the Colorado Parent Advocacy Network (CPAN), was horrified by the responses she received, leading to concerns about child safety and the need for improved transparency in the state’s educational institutions.

Gimelshteyn, a passionate advocate for school transparency and accountability, parents’ rights, and non-political education experiences, conducted the experiment to gauge the effectiveness of the crisis line. However, the replies she received from the crisis specialist left her “sickened” and motivated to protect children.

During the text exchange, Gimelshteyn, posing as a 9-year-old dealing with gender confusion, expressed feeling sad and wanting to be a boy. The crisis specialist advised the fictitious child to explore their gender identity privately before discussing it with others. Shockingly, the specialist then asked if these feelings had brought up any thoughts of suicide. Furthermore, the specialist assured the “9-year-old” that their messages would remain confidential and provided a link to the Trevor Project for additional resources.

While the Colorado Crisis Services (CCS) spokesperson could not confirm the authenticity of the text messages due to confidentiality, state officials maintained their support for the crisis line staff and the services they provide. Marc Condojani, a representative from Colorado’s Behavioral Health Administration, stressed the importance of addressing and supporting young people struggling with mental health issues.

The crisis line, which aims to assist individuals experiencing various crises such as depression, grief, suicidal thoughts, trauma, drug and alcohol use, and domestic violence, plays a crucial role in preventing youth suicide, the second leading cause of death among young people.

The incident was brought to light when parents in the Cherry Creek School District expressed concerns about posters promoting the crisis line in their local elementary school. Gimelshteyn highlighted their objections to the language on the posters, particularly the phrase “My family is great at pointing out my faults.” The posters, which are required by state law, aim to create awareness and provide information about the crisis line.

Gimelshteyn’s experiment was not an isolated incident. Two other CPAN members posed as sad or bullied 11-year-olds and also contacted the crisis line. Although suicide or self-harm were not mentioned, screenshots revealed that the crisis specialists inquired about thoughts of self-harm. While the crisis line spokesperson emphasized that the responses followed “standards of care,” concerns about the training and protocols of the crisis system have been raised.

CCS, which received $20 million in funding after the 2012 Aurora theater massacre, operates a comprehensive statewide behavioral health crisis response system that includes a hotline, mobile crisis teams, walk-in centers, and respite care facilities. In 2019, the crisis line served 54,826 individuals through text, online chat, and call services, with approximately 10% of the annual budget allocated to its operations.

Parents and CPAN are calling for a thorough investigation into the crisis line and increased transparency in Colorado schools. They argue that districts should clearly communicate the promotion of the crisis line as a state requirement and address concerns raised by parents. Moreover, they believe that parents should be involved in the decision-making process regarding their children’s mental health support.

CPAN maintains that the crisis system should be temporarily shut down until a comprehensive investigation can be conducted. Retired police chief George Mumma, who assisted CPAN in developing a plan of action, expressed concern about schools encouraging students to keep secrets from their parents, emphasizing the importance of open communication within families.

While the Colorado Crisis Services spokesperson did not directly respond to CPAN’s concerns, they reiterated the availability of help and support for all Coloradans. Condojani encouraged parents to engage with their children and learn more about the crisis line, emphasizing the importance of open dialogue and parental involvement.

As the debate continues, it is evident that the safety and well-being of Colorado’s youth must remain a top priority. The incident has highlighted the need for improved protocols, training, and transparency in the state’s mental health support systems, ensuring that children receive the care and attention they deserve during times of crisis..