Bob Sutherland – Board President
I support the Sutherland Bipolar Center & Foundation because I saw how important quality care for bipolar was for my father, Robert Sutherland. I also believe common-sense, evidenced-based treatment for mental illness, if widely adopted, could significantly improve our society and save money.
The family therapy model we use is crucial to people’s improvement and management of bipolar. For too long, mental health care has kept people in isolation, neglecting the deep impact a person’s immediate circle has on people’s mental health outcomes. I hear over and over again that “we just didn’t know enough to support our (parent/child/coworker)” when they manifested bipolar symptoms.” The Sutherland Seminar Series is a must for anyone with a close friend or family member who has been diagnosed with bipolar.
I am an avid runner, and the trails around Boulder are where you will find me. I have completed various long trail runs around Boulder and other locations in the west. I am also passionate about fly fishing, particularly large trout in western tailwaters. I am proud to be the fourth generation owner and executive of the Sutherland Lumber Company, where I oversee 6 stores in 4 states.
Christin Bellian – Board Member
I love that the Sutherland Center treats bipolar disorder from a family systems approach. It is only when we consider the system that substantive change can be made that improves the lives of people living with bipolar disorder and their families. The goal-oriented and evidenced-base therapies utilized at the Sutherland Center come together to create a unique and comprehensive model for treating bipolar that is worthy of being replicated. We desperately need innovation in mental health care and the Sutherland Center is a great model.
I really appreciate that the Sutherland Seminar Series is geared not just for individuals with bipolar disorder but also their families and friends who want to support them. This is such a crucial piece to helping people with bipolar disorder thrive that is often overlooked. That the Sutherland Bipolar Center provides this service to the community really stands out.
I have a background in non-profit management and am more than halfway through a Master in Marriage and Family Therapy program at Regis University. It is a pleasure to be able to combine my two areas of expertise as a board member for the Sutherland Center and Foundation. When I am not doing school work, you can find me hiking and skiing. I have a husband, two kids, a dog and a cat who often join me on various adventures.
Amy Metz – Board Member
I joined the board officially after working with the Sutherland Center in my capacity as a Development Officer for the University of Colorado. When I chose to make a career change, I wanted to remain connected to the Center because I had come to know and appreciate the great impact the center was having. I feel that mental health is a huge area of concern for the human race, but especially here in Colorado, and we need to do more to address the lack of mental health education, resources available and stigma that goes along with mental health.
One area of impact for the Sutherland Center is that of training graduate students to evaluate and treat bipolar disorder. The specialized training they receive from our Director is invaluable as they enter the world as mental health professionals. Having spent so many years studying and working at the University of Colorado, I am quite passionate about quality education and what it does to shape the future. The Sutherland Center is teaching cutting edge ideas about evaluation and therapy.
I am a Colorado native and have chosen to stay in this beautiful state my whole life. I am married with two children, love animals, the outdoors and live music. My favorite season is very hard to pin down because one of the things I love about Colorado is that we truly experience all of the seasons. I can honestly say that just about when I am ready for a seasonal change, one is on the horizon, and they all have their pros and cons!