Vail Health has initiated its biannual behavioral health survey, inviting community members to provide essential feedback on local mental health needs. This survey aims to assess the state of behavioral health in both Eagle County and Summit County, guiding Vail Health’s allocation of funds for behavioral health programs.
Dana Erpelding, Vice President of Behavioral Health Operations at Vail Health, emphasized the survey’s importance in understanding community perspectives. “The purpose of the survey is to evaluate behavioral health needs and perspectives of community members in Eagle County,” she stated.
The anonymous survey is open to all individuals aged 18 and older who live or work in Eagle County. A similar survey has been made available for residents and employees in Summit County, alongside eight other mountain resort communities. Questions within the survey cover various topics, including community connections, quality of life, and health needs related to behavioral health and alcohol use.
Since 2020, Vail Health has partnered with the Katz Amsterdam Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing behavioral health and substance abuse issues in mountain communities. Erpelding explained, “It was really intended to be an investment in local mountain communities to help improve access to behavioral health resources.”
The foundation is responsible for selecting the survey questions, which remain consistent across each administration to track changes over time. The initial survey took place just before the COVID-19 pandemic, providing valuable insights into community needs prior to the health crisis.
The data collected from the survey serves multiple purposes. It evaluates the effectiveness of local programs in addressing current behavioral health needs, assesses advancements in intervention strategies, and allows for comparisons with other mountain communities. In 2026, the survey will expand to include ten rural resort communities, enhancing the breadth of data available.
Vail Health’s funding decisions for behavioral health initiatives are also informed by the survey results. In recent years, the organization has focused on improving positive behavioral health outcomes across Eagle County and beyond. This approach has led to the recruitment of therapists, psychiatrists, case managers, and school-based clinicians.
Erpelding noted, “We’ve seen some real positive trends, and we hope that as we continue to implement the survey every two years, that we’ll continue to see those improvements year over year.” The Katz Amsterdam Foundation contributes approximately $500,000 annually to support behavioral health initiatives within Eagle County, which Vail Health leverages in collaboration with local partners like My Future Pathways and RECONNECTED.
Addressing historical gaps in substance use programs, particularly concerning alcohol use, has been a priority. Erpelding remarked, “Seeing that survey data and seeing that need in the community has helped us invest dollars — both the Katz Amsterdam dollars and also dollars contributed through Vail Health and through philanthropy — to help start nonprofits like RECONNECTED.”
The survey organizers aim to receive at least 800 responses to ensure a diverse range of perspectives. The survey takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete and is available in both English and Spanish. Erpelding encouraged participation, stating, “If people have a quick 10 minutes to spare, we’d love for them to log in and take the survey. The more data we have, the better informed our decisions are on where we invest community dollars.”
Survey results are expected to be released in spring or early summer 2026, providing valuable insights for the upcoming two years of behavioral health care in Eagle County. The survey will remain open until February 7, 2026, and can be accessed at VailHealthBH.org/Encuesta-Comunitaria. All responses are recorded anonymously, ensuring confidentiality for participants.
