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Colorado Launches Statewide Mental Health Hotline

DENVER (AP) - Colorado launched a statewide hotline this week to help people suffering from depression and mental illness.

The hotline was part of a plan announced by Gov. John Hickenlooper in late 2012 to bolster the state's mental health services in the aftermath of mass shootings at an Aurora movie theater and Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut. Lawmakers passed legislation in 2013 to establish the plan, which also includes four walk-in crisis centers around the state.

The hotline will be available 24 hours a day every day and is available to everyone. People can talk to a mental health professional or counselor by calling 844-493-TALK.

(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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