An estimated one-third of all suicides among younger populations involve people in the gay community.
"We are seeing shocking numbers of suicides and suicidal thoughts," says Hope Wisneski, Denver Executive Director of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Organization.
Just in the last month, 5 young men, as young as 13 years old, have taken their own lives.
The most recent was 18-year-old Tyler Clementi, a Rutgers University Student.
Prosecutors say his roommate and another student streamed live images of Clementi having intimate relations with another man. Clementi jumped off a bridge three days later.
"I felt bad that he thought that was his only option," says Dr. Thomas Walker, Associate Director of GLBT Services at the University of Denver.
But, he says, these numbers are nothing new.
"Unfortunately, students, young people, even older folks, hurting themselves or taking their own lives is something that happens more often than we'd like for it to," says Walker.
"We know in Colorado that we have recently surveyed 300 participants, 40 percent of which said they have seriously considered suicide," says Wisneski.
Wisneski also says that 70 percent of teenagers have reported feeling unsafe at school.
"There are resources that are available. If you're struggling, it can get better. It can be better," says Walker. "Here on our own campus I have a number of people contact me asking how they can help and what they can do to help people who are hurting," says Walker.
"People are starting to realize and really honor and acknowledge how hard the world can be for some people and how hard our society makes it for people to be who they are. And when we learn about the lack of acceptance out there and learn about people being bullied to the point they take their own lives, I hope that it allows people to take a second and stand back and really understand how much it impacts us," says Wisneski.
For those seeking more information or help, visit www.glbtcolorado.org, or contact the Colorado Anti-Violence Program at 303-852-5094.
(KUSA-TV © 2010 Multimedia Holdings Corporation)