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“Our community has come such a long way. It was a group effort, and it’s amazing to me. I cannot thank Vail Health enough,” says Agnes Harakal.
In 2016, Agnes Harakal and a group of concerned parents and community members were at the forefront of a movement to change the stigma surrounding mental illness in Eagle County. Their grassroots efforts laid the groundwork for improvements in local mental health services and awareness long before Vail Health’s Eagle Valley Behavioral Health (EVBH) was established.
Personal experiences shaped Agnes’ journey to becoming an advocate for mental health awareness. Her son, John, now 34, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder as a teenager. She and her husband, Glenn, watched helplessly as his condition deteriorated during high school.
One day, John’s symptoms worsened dramatically. “We came home, and John was there, but he was not himself. You could see he was rambling,” Agnes recalls. This incident led to a distressing first encounter with first responders and the local healthcare system, where John was handcuffed while being transported to a mental hospital.
“He was treated like a criminal instead of a patient with an illness.” Agnes remembers thinking, “This is horrible. We have got to fix this.” Her family’s traumatizing experience immediately propelled her into action.
Transforming Stigmas Around Mental Illness
Agnes joined Total Health Alliance, a group of 70 Eagle County local governments, organizations, and individuals working to improve local mental health services. As a group member, she organized parades and fundraisers to rally community support and raise awareness about mental health.
The lack of local care options motivated Agnes to advance mental health services in the Vail Valley. Previously, families like hers had to make long, grueling trips to seek mental health treatment, often feeling isolated and unsupported. As a result, many parents she knew had no choice but to move away to get help for their children. “We have kids here that need help, and I think, for whatever reason, it’s getting worse. They’re struggling harder,” Agnes says.
However, over recent years, Agnes has witnessed the changes she long fought for come to fruition. “Our community has come such a long way. Now, we have licensed counselors in every school in the Eagle County School District. It was a group effort, and it’s amazing to me,” she says. “I cannot thank Vail Health enough.”
A Beacon of Hope for Families in Need
Out of gratitude for Vail Health Behavioral Health’s critical work and the development of the Precourt Healing Center, Agnes generously supports EVBH’s area of greatest need. She knows firsthand the positive difference that a local inpatient facility will make for adolescents struggling with mental illness. “You have given us hope,” Agnes says.
After retiring from a 30-year career as a preschool teacher in Eagle, Agnes has enjoyed watching Glenn, an architect, and John work on various projects together. “They recently built a rowboat. The newest project is the greenhouse in our backyard; they’ve been working on that together.” Agnes is also excited about being a grandmother. The Harakals’ daughter, Alison, recently gave birth to a healthy baby.
Agnes reminds others who are struggling with mental health issues that help is available. “Everybody deserves hope. Don’t give up. Get the help you need; it’s here.”
“As community members, we should give back to help others. When someone is suffering, we as a community suffer. We are a family.”Agnes Harakal