Suicide Prevention Resources for LGBTQIA+ Coloradans
September is Suicide Prevent Month, but taking care of ourselves and each other is a lifelong journey. Mental health support comes in all shapes and sizes. What often comes to mind is a weekly visit to a therapist’s couch, which can be really helpful, however counseling and therapy services are not always accessible or affordable to everyone, and are not always available if you need immediate help.
So if you, like many of us, ever find yourself in need of urgent help, what are your alternatives?
The first and easiest step is to reach out to a crisis line. There are a variety of different options and services available, with various levels of possible intervention. Here are a few LGBTQIA+-affirming resources to check out:
- Call or text 988, or chat on website.
- To reach an LGBTQIA+-trained crisis counselor, press 3 after calling or text the word PRIDE.
- ASL video phone services are also available on website
- Phone calls and chats do not give pinpoint location data so they will not be able to nonconsensually call emergency services.
- The 988 Lifeline covers all areas of the country, even if there is no local crisis center participating in that area. The goal is to connect you to people locally.
- If you need more help or somewhere to go, they will try to stay on the phone with you to find a spot at a facility.
- Call 1-866-488-7386, text 678678, or chat on website
- Focus on providing LGBTQIA+ youth crisis counseling
- The Trevor Project states: “In very specific instances of abuse or a clear concern of an in-progress or imminent suicide, Trevor counselors may need to contact a child welfare agency or emergency service”
- 877-565-8860, call only
- Hours: 11 AM – 7 PM Mountain Time
- Run by trans people, for trans people with a peer support model.
- When there is a high volume of calls, the call will disconnect if they can’t don’t have anyone available.
- On principle Trans Lifeline volunteers will never call emergency services without your consent.
Another great option can be to connect with support groups. Groups are often cheaper than individual therapy and certain types of groups, such as peer to peer groups, might even be free. Check out Yarrow Collective, Queer Asterisks, or the Transgender Center for the Rockies for some local options. You can also check out Hey Peers for more virtual options.
At One Colorado, we know that suicide prevention is more than just mental health support or crisis intervention. Healthcare access is suicide prevention. Food access is suicide prevention. Responsible gun laws are suicide prevention. Safe schools are suicide prevention. Equal rights are suicide prevention.And so much more! We are committed to continuing this fight and hope you’ll stick around to see us win.
