The State of LGBTQ+ Mental Health in Colorado

At Axis Integrated Mental Health, Pride Month isn’t just a celebration—it’s a call to action. As a clinic founded by parents of 3 LGBTQ+ kids, we know firsthand how mental health care can either affirm a person’s identity or deepen their wounds. We built Axis to be part of the solution: a place where all people—regardless of how they identify—feel safe, seen, and supported. This Pride Month, we’re sharing the facts about LGBTQ+ mental health in Colorado and the steps we’re taking to create lasting change.

The Mental Health Gap: A Crisis Hiding in Plain Sight

According to the Colorado Health Institute, only 42% of LGBTQ+ Coloradans report having good mental health. For transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse individuals, the number drops to just 22.9%. By comparison, 74.8% of heterosexual, cisgender adults in Colorado report good mental health. That’s not a gap—it’s a canyon.

Why such stark disparities? Discrimination, social rejection, trauma, and systemic barriers to care all play a role. LGBTQ+ people are 2.5 times more likely than their cis/het peers to experience depression, anxiety, and substance use issues. For many, simply walking into a medical office is a source of fear.

And yet, the majority of these experiences remain unseen and unsupported.

Youth in Crisis

The data gets even more heartbreaking when we look at young people. According to The Trevor Project:

41% of LGBTQ+ youth in Colorado seriously considered suicide in 2024

47% of transgender and nonbinary youth considered suicide

12% of LGBTQ+ youth attempted suicide in the past year

68% reported symptoms of anxiety

56% experienced symptoms of depression

48% wanted mental health care but didn’t get it

Why didn’t they get care? The top reasons included fear of being judged, cost barriers, and a belief that they wouldn’t be taken seriously. Some were afraid of being hospitalized against their will. Others simply couldn’t find a provider they trusted.

Why Affirming Care Matters

Let’s be clear: affirming mental health care isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s essential.

Research shows that just one affirming adult can significantly reduce an LGBTQ+ young person’s risk of suicide. Affirming care means more than using the right name and pronouns—it’s about listening without judgment, validating lived experience, and offering evidence-based treatment that reflects a person’s unique identity.

Unfortunately, not all providers are equipped to offer that. According to the Human Rights Campaign, only six health facilities in Colorado score over 80% on measures of LGBTQ+ inclusion.

We’re working to change that.

Colorado’s Progress: Strong Laws, Real Protections

There’s good news, too. Colorado is one of the most protective states in the country for LGBTQ+ rights:

Gender-affirming care is legally protected in Colorado. That includes therapy, hormones, surgeries, checkups, and more.

Colorado Medicaid now covers more gender-affirming procedures and has removed barriers like mandatory therapy before hormone treatment.

Conversion therapy for minors is banned.

Jude’s Law makes it easier to change your name and gender marker without needing surgery or a doctor’s note.

Schools are now required to use students' chosen names, even if not legally changed.

Insurance companies can’t deny care based on gender identity or sexual orientation.

These protections are powerful. But legal rights only matter when people can access the care they protect. That’s where providers like Axis come in.

How Axis Integrated Mental Health Shows Up for the LGBTQ+ Community

At Axis, we believe inclusive care starts with listening. We hire and train providers who understand LGBTQ+ identities and trauma-informed care. We offer therapy, psychiatry, advanced treatments like Spravato and TMS, and case management—all under one roof.

We also:

Guide patients through insurance so they can access gender-affirming care with minimal barriers

Offer pro bono and discounted programs for patients in need

Train our entire team in equity, inclusion, and trauma-informed care

Protect patient privacy and autonomy at every step

Serve as referral partners with LGBTQ+ organizations to expand access and reduce stigma

You shouldn’t have to teach your therapist or psychiatrist how to respect your identity. At Axis, we get it. We’re here to help you heal, not explain yourself.

What Allies and Advocates Can Do

Pride Month isn’t just about rainbow flags. It’s about showing up for real people with real needs. If you want to support LGBTQ+ mental health this Pride Month:

• Trust people to know who they are. 92% of LGBTQ+ youth say this is the #1 way to show support.
• Respect pronouns.
• Speak up when you see discrimination. Silence is complicity.
• Educate yourself on LGBTQ+ issues—especially if you’re in a helping profession.
• Donate to LGBTQ+ mental health orgs like The Trevor Project or One Colorado.

And if you’re struggling with your own mental health or looking for a provider who gets it—reach out.

We’re Here for You

If you’ve been afraid to seek help, Axis Integrated Mental Health is here to change that experience. Whether you’re looking for a provider who respects your identity, navigating gender-affirming care, or supporting a loved one who needs help—you don’t have to do this alone.

Care should feel like a safe space. That’s what we strive to create every day.

This Pride Month, and every month, we’re proud to stand with our LGBTQ+ community. And as parents, providers, and allies—we promise to keep building a better system, one person at a time.