A text, chat line for LGBTQ youth contemplating suicide gets a boost in Colorado

In Colorado, where the leading cause of death for young people is suicide, a related statistic reveals one more layer in a complex issue.

One in five Colorado teens who identify as gay or transgender has attempted suicide, according to the latest Healthy Kids Colorado Survey. That’s almost three times the rate of Colorado teens in general.

Add that to this finding from the state Attorney General’s Office: many gay and trans youth avoid seeking help from the traditional places — church, school counselors, parents or the state’s mental health crisis line — because they worry it won’t come judgment-free.

Enter the Trevor Project, a national organization that is working to expand its presence and volunteer network in Colorado. Expect to hear more about the project’s text, chat and phone lines this year in social media feeds and ads posted around the state.

Read more: https://coloradosun.com/2019/10/09/trevor-project-in-colorado/