McKee Wellness Foundation is proud to award a grant to Rocky Mountain Equality (RMEQ) to support mental health counseling for LGBTQ+ youth across Larimer and Weld Counties. This investment comes at a critical time, as the need for accessible, affirming mental health care for LGBTQ+ youth has never been more urgent. 

In Colorado alone, 47% of LGBTQ+ youth have seriously considered suicide, and 12% have attempted it, according to The Trevor Project’s 2024 survey. Among transgender and nonbinary youth, these numbers are even higher. For too many young people, the lack of supportive services and affirming spaces leads to isolation, distress, and sometimes tragic outcomes. 

This local crisis reflects national trends. Across the U.S., LGBTQ+ youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their straight and cisgender peers. Studies show that nearly 1 in 5 LGBTQ+ youth has attempted suicide in the past year – a staggering statistic that underscores how urgent this issue truly is. 

Evidence shows that when LGBTQ+ youth have access to mental health care that affirms their identity, their risk of suicide drops significantly. This is why partnerships like the one between McKee Wellness Foundation and RMEQ matter so deeply. 

“This grant allows us to provide safe, affirming spaces where young people who live outside of the Boulder and Denver metro areas can build connections, access resources, and grow,” said RMEQ COO Bruce Parker. “With this support, we’re not just expanding services, we’re helping to ensure that every LGBTQ+ young person knows that they are seen, valued, and not alone.”