June 24, 2021: As we amplify voices from Colorado’s LGBTQIA+ communities this Pride Month, we must also affirm and address individuals’ behavioral health needs. Experiencing discrimination—which can bring up shame, fear, loneliness and other distressing emotions—may lead to increased mental health and substance use concerns for LGBTQIA+ people. Gay, lesbian and bisexual adults are twice as likely—and transgender adults four times as likely—to live with a mental health condition than straight people and cisgender people, respectively, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
These concerns are even more acute for LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults, who make up a growing segment of our country’s LGBTQIA+ communities. A national survey found that 42% of LGBTQIA+ youth seriously considered attempting suicide during the pandemic with the highest rates among Black, Latinx and Indigenous teens. About 70% of respondents said their mental health was "poor" always or most of the time, and only one-third said their home life was affirming of their identity.
The good news is that LGBTQIA+ individuals can successfully manage behavioral health conditions with the right care and support. At the Colorado Department of Human Services, Office of Behavioral Health, several projects are underway to expand services for Colorado’s LGBTQIA+ communities:
- Boosting Funding for Prevention Programs: OBH plans to spend $1.68 million in additional block grant funds for programs that prevent substance misuse among youth, especially those belonging to communities of color and LGBTQIA+ youth.
- Retooling Marketing Campaigns: We are retooling our Colorado Crisis Services and anti-stigma Lift The Label campaigns to feature a broader spectrum of LGBTQIA+ identities. Forward Together is creating LGBTQIA+ focused messaging and planning on working with LGBTQIA+-serving youth organizations to increase connectedness.
- Expanding Outreach Efforts: We plan to dedicate federal stimulus dollars to support outreach efforts to LGBTQIA+-serving organizations to get people connected to mental health and substance use treatment. We are also incorporating presence at events such as Pride in order to establish stronger and more direct relationships with LGBTQIA+ Coloradans.
- Increasing School-Based Supports: Our office is working to provide free counseling sessions for youth ages 18 and under as well as expanding school-based counselors and prevention specialists. Increasing services in schools will help us identify more young people who need support and intervene earlier.
- Diversifying OBH Boards: We hope to recruit more people from LGBTQIA+ communities to weigh in on OBH programs and policies to make our services more inclusive.
LGBTQIA+ people must feel cared for, seen and valued to prevent behavioral health challenges. By improving access to and responsivity of mental health and substance use services, more LGBTQIA+ Coloradans can lead healthy lives and take pride in their identity.
More Behavioral Health Resources for LGBTQIA+ Coloradans
If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs help dealing with one, call 1-844-493-TALK (8255) or text TALK to 38255 to speak to a trained professional. Learn more at coloradocrisisservices.org