DENVER — As Pride Month concludes, a troubling statistic highlights the ongoing mental health crisis within Colorado’s LGBTQ+ community.
More than half of LGBTQ+ adults in Colorado report experiencing poor mental health, a stark contrast to the 28% of straight and cisgender adults facing similar issues. The 2023 Colorado Health Access Survey reveals that 54% of LGBTQ+ adults in the state struggled with depression, stress, or other emotional problems for eight or more days within a one-month period.
“This is significant because it shows LGBTQ+ Coloradans are twice as likely to face mental health issues,” said Lindsey Whittington, program manager at the Colorado Health Institute, the nonprofit that conducts the survey biennially. Whittington, who uses they/them pronouns, emphasized the profound impact of lacking support and a sense of belonging on an individual’s mental health.
The challenge of finding a supportive environment and accessing mental health care exacerbates these issues. “LGBTQ+ Coloradans are more likely to report being unable to get the mental health services they need, often due to higher rates of being uninsured,” Whittington added. The survey found that 10% of LGBTQ+ individuals were uninsured compared to 4.7% of straight and cisgender adults.
Beyond the cost and availability of care, LGBTQ+ individuals often struggle to find affirming therapists. Whittington shared their personal experience, noting the importance of finding a queer-identifying provider who understood their struggles, enhancing their sense of being valued.
The mental health crisis is compounded by the hostile political climate. At the start of Pride Month, Colorado Republican Party Chairman Dave Williams sparked controversy by calling for Pride flags to be burned in an email to supporters, accusing Pride supporters of being “godless groomers.” This prompted backlash and led Aurora Councilperson Curtis Gardner to leave the GOP, condemning Williams’ comments as “hateful.”
Despite the controversy and calls for his resignation, Williams remains defiant, asserting his stance against what he terms a harmful agenda. This rhetoric, combined with the broader political climate, fuels ongoing hostility toward the LGBTQ+ community.
Reverend Dr. Jenny Morgan, co-pastor of Highlands Church in Denver, underscores the deep damage such rhetoric inflicts on LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly those who are also people of faith. Morgan, who has navigated her own journey of reconciling her faith and sexuality, highlights the importance of supportive religious communities in fostering mental and emotional well-being.
For those facing a mental health crisis, resources are available. The Trevor Project offers support via the TrevorLifeline at 1-866-488-7386. Denver-based nonprofit YouthSeen provides mental health and wellness support for queer and transgender BIPOC youth, and the Center on Colfax offers free therapy and a resource directory for affirming care and support.
As Colorado navigates a charged political landscape, the voices rising above the hate are more crucial than ever in advocating for the mental health and well-being of the LGBTQ+ community.
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