(COLORADO) — September is National Suicide Awareness month, but it has also been a little over two months since the national Suicide and Crisis Hotline, 988, shut down its LGBTQIA2+ Specialized Services program, otherwise known as the Press 3 option.
While the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) ensured that anyone who contacts the general 988 line will receive help from counselors who are skilled, caring, and culturally competent, the need for greater knowledge and services for LGBTQ+ callers in need has been placed on local and state services across the United States.
“We have seen an increase of young people in crisis throughout the course of this year, but the bigger issue is the uncertainty of what resources are out there and what options they have access to when they are in crisis. Changing resources, eliminating resources, and limiting access to resources can all cause confusion that impacts LGBTQIA2+ young people’s ability to find the help they need in the moments they need it. The change to 988’s options is also a symbol of a broader devaluation of the mental health needs of LGBTQIA2+ people nationwide, which is deeply damaging.”
Ollie Glessner, Communications and Advocacy Director of Inside Out Youth Services
The National Suicide Prevention Hotline has been in service since its introduction by the Bush administration in 2005, and obtained its 988 designation during President Trump’s first term in 2020. That same legislation also addressed the statistic that LGBTQIA2+ youth were more than 3.5 times more likely to attempt suicide than other Americans by requiring the line to provide access to staff who are specially trained in LGBTQIA2+ issues.
Colorado’s Behavioral Health Administration (BHA), the state agency in charge of the 988 line, has no plan in place to create another service like the Press 3 option, but is considering additional education and support.
“At this time, there are no plans to create another service; however, all calls, texts, and chats from Colorado will continue to be answered by trained professionals who are equipped to respond to a wide range of needs and experiences, including those most affected by this change. We are also reviewing how we may support additional outreach and education efforts using state resources,” said a BHA official.
The BHA also noted that the state does offer several LGBTQIA2+ services, and that anyone in need should visit their CDPHE Resources for LGBTQIA2+ Coloradans page, which has links to help centers, the Thrice Lifeline, the Trans Lifeline, and more.
On the local side of the matter, Inside Out Youth Services, a social services organization that connects LGBTQIA2+ youths with programs and resources, has quite a few recommendations for those in need in Colorado Springs.
“Locally, we are fortunate to have multiple affirming mental health organizations, LGBTQIA2+ organizations, and crisis services. For those in crisis, Diversus Health’s walk-in center, the Lighthouse, supports all individuals including the LGBTQIA2+ community. And if someone calls Colorado Crisis Services, they can get connected to other local resources to support them in the moment,”
– Ollie Glessner
Glessner also mentioned the Pikes Peak Suicide Prevention Partnership, the Trust Center, and Prism Community Collective. These might not be crisis centers, but they all can connect people with mental health support. NAMI Colorado Springs also offers peer support groups and counselors, with some groups specifically for the LGBTQIA2+ and Trans communities.
Inside Out Youth Center helps young people in crisis with free in-house therapy, a full-time case manager, a community center with drop-in hours, and evidence-based programming designed to support LGBTQIA2+ youths to develop resiliency and coping skills. Inside Out also offers a peer support group for trans and gender-expansive young people, a peer support group for parents of trans and gender-expansive young people, school advocacy resources, and more.
It should also be noted that several hotlines for LGBTQIA2+ individuals in crisis that were connected to Press 3 are still in operation. Most notably, youths and young adults can reach out to The Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386, and the Trans Lifeline can still be connected at 1-877-493-8255. Colorado Crisis Services also connects callers to trained crisis counselors and peer supporters, as well as options to support LGBTQIA2+ people of all ages. You can call them at 1-844-493-8255, or text “TALK” to 38255.
