The LGBTQ+ community has historically faced increased risks for mental health concerns and substance abuse issues, which are often due to stress from stigma, harassment, and discrimination. Queer mental health services and resources could help save someone’s life!
January in Colorado is dark and cold, and we also know that people might be in need of counseling services, or a sense of community to combat the changes in the seasons.
This month, OFM is shining the light on some local, incredible, queer organizations and programs that provide affirming care and access for the LGBTQ+ community.
A subsection of Mile High Behavioral Healthcare, Denver Element serves the LGBTQ2S+ community through a variety of wellness-related, behavioral health care programs, and counseling services. They also provide gender-affirming healthcare, PrEP and HIV services, support groups, and resources.
A Denver-based nonprofit organization, Envision:You’s mission is to improve LGBTQ+ mental health. Their programs train behavioral healthcare providers to practice culturally affirming care, teach and help create safe affirming environments for LGBTQ+ youth, and practice having conversations with loved ones about their mental health support needs.
Glass Lawler Mental Health is the Center on Colfax’s new mental health care program, which provides free therapeutic services to LGBTQ+ adults (18+). Clients receive culturally responsive and affirming services, with up to 12 individual counseling sessions. This program also holds monthly peer support groups and community social events in affirming environments.
i Am Clinic Counseling Services
As a proud, queer-led business, iAmClinic offers counseling for LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples, as well as their religious loved ones. They also offer Anger Management Therapy and Neurofeedback Training services. Their primary goal is to help the LGBTQIA+ community and their families establish internal solidarity, rooted identities, and long-term relational health.
IOYS is a community center for LGBTQIA2+ youth that includes resources, programming, and a place to build community. Their program focuses are mental/physical health, advocacy and community, gender identity development, leadership, expression, and recreation. IOYS also offers free mental health and therapy services to all participants and their families.
Queer Asterisk empowers and nurtures the diverse ways of being that queer people embody by providing the community with accessible counseling services, education, training, and community programs that uplift queer, trans, and gender-expansive lives. They also offer different therapy groups and peer mentorship opportunities.
Transgender Center of the Rockies
Another program of Mile High Behavioral Healthcare, The TCR provides holistic gender-affirming services to support transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expansive folks in Colorado. They provide socio-emotional support, substance use treatment, individual counseling, peer support groups, PrEP case management, and community events.
Youthseen is a nonprofit organization striving to empower the social and emotional wellbeing of LGBTQI youth and families throughout all communities. Youthseen highlights intersections that many communities of color face when addressing social issues that impact families under the umbrella of LGBTQI. They offer a peer mentor support network, support groups, and training for LGBTQI youth and their parents.
