Envision:You Launches “How to Have the Talk” Campaign

With funding from the Colorado COVID Relief Fund, Envision:You recently launched a statewide initiative called “How to Have the Talk.” Aiming to spark conversation about mental health in the LGBTQ community, the campaign consists of several ads and a website with resources and tools to provide guidance and confidence when talking openly about mental illness.

“How to Have the Talk” offers advice to dispel myths, encourage individuals from the LGBTQ community to seek resources and services, and provide a space for individuals to find support from friends, families, loved ones, and colleagues.

“I am grateful that the foundations, businesses, and residents of Colorado have come together to support our fellow Coloradoans by donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Colorado COVID Relief Fund,” Colorado Governor Jared Polis says. “The fund supports non-profits like Envision:You who is taking a proactive approach to supporting the LGBTQ+ community during the pandemic. The ability of Envision:You to launch the ‘How to Have the Talk’ campaign during this time will have an enormous impact on LGBTQ+ individuals. We know this community has higher rates of depression and suicidal tendencies, and this campaign will help more people get connected to care by encouraging people to talk openly about their mental health.”

Envision:You’s mission is to support, educate, and empower members of Colorado’s LGBTQ community who are living with a mental health or substance use disorder. The mental health challenges Envision:You is addressing have deep roots and solutions are complex. Undeterred, Envision:You has committed to improving the mental health of Colorado’s LGBTQ community with a multifaceted approach in collaboration with partners from around the state.Mental health is a crucial part of overall health, but is often a hushed topic of discussion—if discussed at all. This is largely due to the stigma that has long surrounded mental illness. Mental disorders are quite common, and with effective treatment, recovery is possible.

The stigma, however, often prevents people from seeking treatment, which can isolate them even more and worsen their conditions.

“Talking about mental health helps improve our community by making it more acceptable for those experiencing mental illnesses to seek help, learn to cope, and get on the road to recovery,” Envision:You CEO and co-founder Steven Haden said. “In addition, mental health is not just about mental illnesses. It is also about maintaining a positive state of well-being.  As the stressors of the pandemic are impacting people’s mental health, it is important to provide safe spaces to talk about mental health and offer support.

“This campaign is about helping individuals maintain positive mental health and creating a supportive community of people that are willing to speak up to overcome the reluctance to seek help. We are grateful to members of the queer community in Colorado for helping conceptualize the project and provide meaningful feedback throughout the development of the effort.”

Related Article: Hannah Rad’s Journey to Positive Mental Health

According to Project Design Director Kelly Cavener, survivalism, a polished veneer, and high social expectations conceal hidden suffering in the LGBTQ community.

“I believe the ‘How To Have The Talk’ campaign will help open the conversation about their personal mental health and will enhance dialogue with their loved ones,” he said.

An essential piece of the conversation around mental health is how queer identities, as well as the identities of other affinity groups such as people of color, people who are HIV-positive, people with disabilities, and more, impact and intersect with mental illness.

Social stigma, discrimination, prejudice, systemic inequality, and other anti-LGBTQ forces from mainstream media, the government, families, school systems, healthcare professionals, and others contribute to higher rates of mental illness in the LGBTQ community.Queer adults are more than twice as likely as heterosexual adults to experience a mental health condition, and 48 percent of all trans adults report that they have considered suicide in the past 12 months.

A national survey conducted by the Trevor Project found that more than 53 percent of trans and gender-nonconforming youth respondents have attempted suicide at some point in the past 12 months. Students who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual are almost five times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual peers.

Click this link to find helpful tips and resources. To learn more about Envision:You, visit envision-you.org.

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.