18 Resources for LGBTQ+ Mental Health

LGBTQ+ PEOPLE EXPERIENCE HIGHER RATES OF MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES, BUT HELP IS OUT THERE

(Delia Giandeini / Unsplash)

The  LGBTQ+ community has always been incredibly resilient. For centuries, LGBTQ+ trailblazers have challenged injustices, overcome adversity, and built their own spaces and tools from the ground up. 

But that resilience isn’t without challenges. Stigma and discrimination contribute to the higher rates of mental health struggles among LGBTQ+ people. LGBTQ+ teens are six times more likely to experience symptoms of depression than their peers who don’t identify as LGBTQ+. Almost half of transgender adults have considered suicide, compared to 4% of the general population. LGBTQ+ people used mental health services at 2.5 times higher rates than their heterosexual counterparts.

That’s also why identity-affirming mental healthcare is so important. You should feel empowered to access the help you need to care for yourself and your mental health — regardless of gender or sexual orientation. That’s why we’ve put together this list of resources that support LGBTQ+ mental health, including helplines, counseling services, and peer support spaces. 

Helplines

TREVOR PROJECT

In case you haven’t already heard of The Trevor Project, it’s the largest suicide prevention and mental health organization for LGBTQ youth. You can text, call, or chat online with one of their trained counselors 24/7. Or find support (and friendship!) through their online community TrevorSpace, with over 400,000 members ages 13-24. If you want to explore on your own, check out their online resource center for information about identity, mental health, suicide prevention, and more. 

TRANS LIFELINE

The Trans Lifeline is a resource run by trans people, for trans people. All of its hotline operators identify as trans or nonbinary, and they use community knowledge and shared lived experience to support callers. You don’t have to be in crisis to call the Trans Lifeline — they’re there if you just need someone to listen. They’ve also got a collection of online resources, and they offer microgrants to help meet the needs of trans community members.  

LGBT NATIONAL HELP CENTER

The LGBT National Help Center operates a national hotline to support LGBTQ people, as well as one specifically for LGBTQ youth. If you prefer typing to talking, you can use their peer chat system. They also host weekly moderated chat rooms for LGBTQ people ages 19 and under, where they can come together to build friendships and find community. 

DESI LGBTQ HELPLINE

DeQH is the first and only national helpline for LGBTQ South Asian individuals, families and friends. It’s operated by trained South Asian peer support volunteers, who can provide culturally sensitive conversation and feedback. They can connect you to identity-affirming care providers, find a safe place to practice your faith, give advice on coming out to family and friends, or just offer a listening ear. 

BLACKLINE

BlackLine promotes social justice and supports people in crisis who are most impacted by systemic oppression, with a LGBTQ+ Black Femme lens. It’s both a counseling space and a reporting and referral resource. If you’ve had a negative interaction with law enforcement or vigilantes, BlackLine is there to listen to and affirm your experience — and if you want to take further action, they can connect you with community organizers and officials. 

Therapy & Counseling

PRIDE COUNSELING

Pride Counseling is an affordable and accessible online therapy platform for the LGBTQ+ community. They match you with a licensed therapist, who you can contact via messages, live chat, phone, or video calls (and you can switch those options up at different times based on your needs). 

GAYLESTA

Gaylesta is a collection of professionals focused on LGBTQ+ mental health, founded in 1987. Use their directory to find a therapist or therapy group in your area, either in-person or through telehealth. 

NATIONAL QUEER & TRANS THERAPISTS OF COLOR NETWORK

NQTTCN works at the intersection of social justice and mental health, making healing resources more accessible for queer and trans people of color. Search their mental health directory to find a QTPoC practitioner near you, browse community resources, or apply to their mental health fund — which provides financial support for up to six sessions with a psychotherapist. 

GLMA

GLMA is the largest and oldest association of LGBTQ+ healthcare professionals. Not only can you find therapists and mental health providers in their directory, you can also connect with LGBTQ-affirming primary care providers, specialists, dentists and other professionals in your area.

THERAPY FOR QUEER PEOPLE OF COLOR

Therapy for Queer People of Color provides mental healthcare exclusively for QTPoC. They offer free virtual consultations to match you with a personalized list of recommended therapists. Or you can search their directory of providers yourself, filtering by insurance, speciality, ethnicity, and more. 

Groups and Peer Support

Q CHAT SPACE

Q Chat Space is a live, online discussion group for LGBTQ+ teens ages 13-19. It’s completely chat-based (no video or audio) and moderated by staffers at LGBTQ+ centers across the country. Chats are an hour and a half long, and they’re scheduled on multiple days each week. Topics include coming out; trans/non-binary self-love; and body positivity and body neutrality. 

GENDER SPECTRUM

Gender Spectrum helps gender-diverse kids and teens find community, care, and support. They have a ton of resources, including gender FAQs, personal stories, and a video library created by young people. They also host online discussion groups for trans, non-binary, and gender-expansive pre-teens and teens. 

CENTERLINK

CenterLink connects folks to local LGBTQ+ community centers, many of which provide counseling, peer support groups, and other mental health services. Use their directory to find a community center near you. 

HIDAYAH

Hidayah is an organization that uplifts the LGBTQ+ Muslim community. They host in-person events around the UK, but their virtual events are open to all, including a monthly restorative healing circle, queer book club, and more. 

Resources and Inspiration

IT GETS BETTER PROJECT

The It Gets Better Project empowers LGBTQ+ young people through storytelling. Listen to the experiences of LGBTQ+ people who’ve been there in their video library, get the support you need with their resource center, and educate your community with It Gets Better EDU. 

IMI

Imi is a series of guides and resources for LGBTQ+ teens to explore identity, build coping skills, and share their stories. It was built in collaboration with LGBTQ+ organizations and young people nationwide. Check out their guides on stress, stigma, gender, and more.  

HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN

You may know the Human Rights Campaign for the incredible work they do to advance LGBTQ+ equity through their advocacy campaigns. They’ve also developed a collection of resources for LGBTQ+ folks on everything from coming out to college to religion and faith.

PATHS (RE)MEMBERED PROJECT

The Paths (Re)Membered Project was created to support Native two-spirit and LGBTQ+ people. It blends the creativity of young people with the wisdom of elders within the community. Read and listen to stories of Indigiqueer joy and resilience, or apply for no-cost mental health services in participating states. 

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In a world where your identity feels constantly under attack, it can be hard to find the space and energy for recovery — but it is possible. You deserve healing, and these resources were created specifically to help you achieve it.