Envision:You

Continues to Bridge the Gap in LGBTQ Mental Health Services

by Denny Patterson

Every day, thousands of LGBTQ Coloradans navigate through a world filled with stigma, discrimination, harassment, and violence. Many lose the love and support of family and friends, and coming out is often met with emotionally devastating impacts that cause pervasive trauma and stress on one’s mental health and well-being.

Fortunately, thanks to the efforts of Denver-based nonprofit Envision:You, queer individuals in the state can live fully and safely while embracing their identity.

"Our mission at Envision:You is to enhance the mental health and overall well-being of the LGBTQ+ community," explains Steven Haden, the CEO and founder. "Our work takes us to all four corners of Colorado and are expanding our efforts nationwide to tackle the considerable disparities in mental health. Rates of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, suicidality, and substance use disorders are significantly higher than national averages. We are creating access to culturally responsive and affirming care and programs that can support the well-being of our community.”

Beginning a little over five years ago, Envision:You came from a very personal place for Haden.

"I am a gay man in recovery from a substance use disorder, and I'm also a suicide survivor," he explains. "I share and talk openly for a couple reasons. One, it certainly informs my passion for starting Envision:You. It speaks to the concerns that our community has, so I’m not alone, and I hope it also provides aspiration to people that healing and a better day are ahead.That’s really what led me to found Envision: You."

Envision:You has made a considerable impact since its founding by facilitating co-created community programming, engaging in advocacy efforts, conducting public awareness campaigns, and providing evidence-based training. As of now, more than 1,500 mental health professionals across the United States have received training on delivering culturally responsive and high-quality affirming care to individuals in the LGBTQ community.

Additionally, the nonprofit has handed out more than 40,000 tip cards, which provides information on how to have a meaningful conversation with a friend or family member about mental health, and the organization continues to conduct extensive research projects to inform their work. The data provided is used in conversations with policymakers and elected officials, both state and federal, to ensure that the needs and concerns of the queer community are front and center as they’re looking at reform to health care and behavioral health services.

"Everyone who works for Envision:You is very passionate about and connected to our mission," Haden explains. "It’s not easy work, and I am so grateful that they show up every day to advance our mission.”

A more recent program that Envision:You offers, which quickly gained momentum, is Q is for Questioning, a series of three interactive workshops that meet in a single Colorado community every other week.

“Q is for Questioning stems out of the idea that one affirming adult can significantly reduce the risk of suicide and other mental health challenges for LGBTQ youth,” Envision:You Vice President Brad Barfield says. “It’s a set of three originally based workshops, currently all in Colorado, that are designed to give what we call trusted adults, that includes parents, other guardians, grandparents, teachers, coaches, social workers, foster parents, anyone who’s living with or having interactions with queer youth on a routine basis, the skills, language, resources, and processing time that they need to build affirming environments for the queer youth in their lives.

“We know there are adults out there who care deeply for their children, and their children are learning about themselves and exploring their identities in ways they may not be sure how to manage, affirm, or feel,” Barfield continues. “We talk about myths around what it means to be part of the LGBTQ community as a youth and relationship strategies and giving folks some time to interact with one another. We’re building a community because youth won’t always experience affirming environments when they’re out in the world.”

Although Q is for Questioning has been in development for some time, the first workshops were held last fall. So far, workshops have been held in Colorado Springs, Boulder, Eagle and Routt Counties, as well as Grand Junction, and more are in the process of being scheduled in Loveland, Greeley, Fort Collins, Aurora, and Denver.

As for the program’s impact, Barfield likes to think of it not in terms of the people who physically show up, hear, and participate, but also in terms of the kids in their lives and the community they’re going back to.

“Every person that comes to one of these workshops has at least one queer youth in their lives,” he says.

According to a Q is for Questioning participant, they very much appreciate the staff for their leadership and bringing vital information and networking to the community.

“The non-judgmental encouragement, support, and education provided in this workshop helped shift my thought process from some resistance to more acceptance,” they state.

Another participant claims Q is for Questioning was a vitally important experience for them.

“My child had recently come out as queer when I signed up for the class, and I went into it thinking that I was relatively supportive of my kids but wanted to be proactive. This workshop profoundly changed my thinking. I learned a lot, and I have shifted from being ‘casually supportive’ of the community and of my kids to being more thoughtful, proactive, and passionate about being an ally. This workshop taught me what a crucial difference I can make in the lives of LGBTQ kids.”

Besides furthering all their programs and campaigns, Envision:You is also working on an innovative social impact project called You:Flourish, a new smartphone app that will launch later this year.

"There are three fundamental pillars of support that You:Flourish offers to the LGBTQ+ community," shares Haden. "Firstly, it provides access to carefully vetted mental health professionals who have undergone a rigorous screening process developed in conjunction with academic researchers. Secondly, it creates a safe space for individuals to connect with others who share similar lived experiences and identities. Lastly, the app offers on-demand video content tailored to the needs of queer folks, by queer folks, to aid in your journey towards wellness. As a standalone public benefit corporation, partially owned by Envision:You, You:Flourish is committed to providing the much-needed support our community deserves."

"For the LGBTQ+ community, finding mental health professionals who understand our unique experiences is crucial for receiving high-quality care. That's why it's so important to have providers who have undergone scrutiny and who are committed to delivering personalized, affirming care,” he continues. While there are plenty of social apps out there for connecting with others, few are designed with our wellness in mind. We need a space where we can access fun and engaging content that's created by members of our own community, and that supports our overall well-being."

Moving forward and looking towards the future, Haden simply hopes to continue being on the frontlines advocating for the LGBTQ community.

"We are committed to spreading awareness about these issues and educating our community on the prevalence of mental health concerns and the importance of accessing high-quality care. Working collaboratively with the Envision:You team, our community partners, and Board of Directors, we are optimistic about continuing to make a significant impact in changing the course of these detrimental mental health outcomes."

For more information and to stay up-to-date with Envision:You, visit envision-you.org or follow them on social media.