Southwest Colorado Mental Health Center, Inc., dba Axis Health System is a private, nonprofit corporation serving the 5 counties of southwest Colorado. Originally, Southwest Colorado Mental Health Center, Inc. was licensed as a community mental health center over fifty years ago. Subsequent to its initial mission, in the early 1990s the designation and licensure as a substance use disorder treatment provider was obtained.

In 2007, after identifying key limitations in the existing primary care model the strategic decision was made to develop an integrated primary health model of care that includes a continuum of care designed to address behavioral health and physical health care needs of patients in a comprehensive, effective, and team-based approach. In recognition of this transition to an integrated care model, the organization filed a name change and is now doing business as “dba” Axis Health System.

Axis Health System continues to provide a full range of behavioral health services in an integrated fashion in several locations in its region including outpatient services and high acuity residential stabilization services.

Truly integrated primary healthcare services are also now available through Axis Health System at two School- Based Health Center locations and at two new clinic locations in Cortez and Durango, Colorado. These two new clinics are open to the public and are accepting new patients.

Axis Health System opened Cortez Integrated Healthcare in December 2011 with comprehensive, whole-person care. This clinic was awarded Community Health Center status in May 2015 and is partially funded through CHC 330(e) federal grant funds. This clinic’s continuum of care includes limited community outreach for the homeless that is focused on substance use.

January 6, 2014, Axis Health System opened La Plata Integrated Healthcare, a federally supported Community Health Center in Durango, Colorado.

The clinic is partially funded through Community Health Center 330(e) and Healthcare for the Homeless (330(h) federal grant dollars. A healthcare program for those experiencing homelessness has been developed and is available through this clinic.

Axis Health System owns and operates two HRSA Community Health Centers (CHC) and, as part of this designation is also a Healthcare for the Homeless Grantee. 

The two CHC clinics offer integrated, comprehensive healthcare for the identified populations in need across the identified service area. As part of the federal funding and the continuum of care available through these clinics, healthcare for the homeless services are making a difference in the communities served by these two integrated CHC clinics.