Colorado scrambles to keep 988 suicide counselors for LGBTQ+ callers
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Colorado is scrambling to find state dollars to preserve a 988 crisis line for LGBTQ callers after the Trump administration decides to discontinue the service July 17.
Why it matters: Colorado's 988 mental health line is a major lifeline to connect people experiencing a crisis with a trained professional.
What they're saying: "The organization is also actively reviewing how state resources can be utilized to support additional outreach and education efforts to ensure all Coloradans are aware of the continuous, inclusive support available," Gordon Coombes, director of the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line, said in a statement Tuesday.
How it works: Right now, LGBTQ individuals can "press 3" to connect with a support line specifically designed for their needs.
By the numbers: The 988 line in Colorado was the fourth most-used in 2024 among states with 36.1 calls, texts and chats per 1,000 people, according to new research published in JAMA Network Open.
The big picture: Colorado struggled to accommodate all the calls to the 988 line in the first two years after its debut, according to an Axios analysis of 2024 data, falling well below the national average answer rate.
Yes, but: A new law that takes effect July 1 will streamline the process and merge the 988 line with the existing Colorado Crisis Services support center created after the 2013 Aurora theater shooting.
- Colorado Behavioral Health Agency commissioner Dannette Smith said in a statement earlier this month that the merger is "a monumental step towards building a comprehensive and accessible behavioral health system across Colorado, increasing access to care for those in need."