Envision:You Receives Grant to Assess COVID-19 Impact on Mental Health

Envision:You, a Colorado LGBTQ mental health and substance abuse disorder initiative that aims to support, educate, and empower members of the state’s LGBTQ community who are living with mental health and/or substance use disorders, received a grant from The Denver Foundation to fund a statewide research study to understand the behavioral health needs of LGBTQ Coloradans.

The survey assessment is designed to identify gaps, barriers to care, resource needs, and opportunities for behavioral health equity. Envision:You will use the data to develop programming, policy advocacy, and education to support the LGBTQ community’s long-term recovery from COVID-19.

Research before the pandemic found that LGBTQ Coloradans are three times as likely to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder or depression. They also experienced significantly higher rates of alcohol and substance use and dependence than their non-LBGTQ counterparts.

Further, nearly half of queer Coloradans reported that they or a family member lacked access to needed mental health or substance use services. COVID-19 is believed to have magnified these disparities as LGBTQ individuals were more likely to lose their job, health insurance, and social connections during the pandemic.

The experiences of queer, Black, Indigenous and people of color (QBIPOC) and those with other intersecting identities are often overlooked in research studies. An intentional effort of this survey will be to reach out to different communities and hard to reach populations. An advisory committee will be formed to aid in the development of an equitable and inclusive survey.

The committee will review the final survey questions, outreach plan and preliminary results.

“Envision:You is dedicated to improving behavioral health outcomes for individuals who identify as LGBTQ and to prioritizing and understanding the lived experiences of queer, Black, Indigenous, and people of color,” CEO and Co-Founder Steven Haden said. “The findings from this ‘state of the state’ assessment will provide a fuller picture of the mental health realities that queer Coloradans with intersecting identities face. We are grateful for support from The Denver Foundation to learn from diverse communities with lived experience to create a more equitable behavioral health system for individuals who identify as queer.”

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The $98,750 grant from The Denver Foundation will cover the cost of data collection, analysis, reporting, and formation of an advisory group to support an equitable, inclusive, and culturally responsive study process.

“The Denver Foundation values listening to our community, using data to make informed decisions, and being responsive to the community’s needs,” Dace West, chief impact officer of The Denver Foundation said. “Envision:You’s effort to bring diverse LGBTQ voices to the forefront to improve systems of care and support effective public policy changes will make an impact on the well-being of LGBTQ individuals living in Colorado.”

Envision:You is partnering with Omni Institute to field the survey, collect and analyze the data, and report results. The final report is anticipated to be completed in September 2021 and specific recommendations for next steps will be presented to state legislatures and the community in early fsall 2021.

If you or someone you know is experiencing an emotional or mental health crisis, please contact Colorado Crisis Services by calling (844) 493-8255 or text TALK to 38255. Click here for more information on Envision:You.