LGBTQ+ Mental Health Resources
Pride Month is officially here and communities across the country are coming together to celebrate and recognize the resilience of LGBTQIA+ individuals historically and to this day. Pride Month takes place in June to honor the Stonewall Uprising of June 1969 in New York, NY.
Pride Month is a reminder of the importance of continuous solidarity, support, and acceptance. LGBTQIA+ individuals face oppression, discrimination, and rejection throughout all months of the year, which takes a particular and deep toll on the mental health of LGBTQIA+ community members.
According to research by The Trevor Project, “42% of LGBTQ youth, including more than half of transgender and nonbinary youth, seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year.” The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the mental health disparities faced by LGBTQIA+ youth. The Trevor Project found that:
- More than 80% of LGBTQ youth stated that COVID-19 made their living situation more stressful—and only 1 in 3 LGBTQ youth found their home to be LGBTQ-affirming.
- Among LGBTQ respondents, 12% of white youth attempted suicide compared to 31% of Native/Indigenous youth, 21% of Black youth, 21% of multiracial youth, 18% of Latinx youth, and 12% of Asian/Pacific Islander youth.
- Transgender and nonbinary youth attempt suicide less when respect is given to their pronouns and they are allowed to officially change their legal documents.
With these mental health disparities in mind, it is essential to increase access to mental health resources for those who need it most. Below is a compilation of resources and links to external sites with additional information organized by the national and local level.
National Resources
- The Trevor Project is a leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ youth under the age of 25. The organization was born from the “powerful intersection of storytelling on stage and film,” as the short film TREVOR launched a national movement to build a nationwide 24-hour crisis line.
- TrevorLifeline
- Phone: 1-866-488-7386
- Hours: Available 24/7
- TrevorText
- Text the word “Trevor” to 1-202-304-1200
- Hours: Monday through Friday between 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET/ Noon tom. PT
- TrevorChat: Online instant messaging with a TrevorChat counselor.
- Enter the online portal on The Trevor Project’s Website
- Hours: 7 days a week, 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. ET/ Noon to 7 p.m. PT
- Trans Lifeline is a grassroots hotline and nonprofit organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis. The nonprofit is dedicated to the well-being of transgender people and provides trans peer support. The hotline is staffed by transgender people for transgender people.
- US Phone: 1-877-565-8860
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- Hours: Every day of the week from 11 a.m. to 5 a.m. ET
- Family & Friends Hotline: 1-877-565-8860 and ask for the Family & Friends Line
- Pride Institute is an addiction treatment organization committed to providing LGBTQ+ people (age 18 and older) with an inclusive and accepting place for recovery through evidence-based treatment for substance abuse, sexual health, and mental health. Their staff understands the unique issues faced by LGBTQ+ people and strives to provide unique treatment for a unique community.
- To schedule a no-cost assessment or for more information call 1-952-522-5683 or complete their online contact form.
GLMA Health Professionals Advancing LGBT Equality
- GLMA is a national organization committed to ensuring health equity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ), and all sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals, and equality for LGBTQ/SGM health professionals in their work and learning environments. GLMA utilizes the scientific expertise of its diverse multidisciplinary membership to inform and drive advocacy, education, and research.
- Provider Directory: a resource for patients to find and connect with LGBTQIA+ welcoming providers.
Human Rights Campaign Healthcare Equality Index
- The Human Rights Campaign provides the national LGBTQ benchmarking tool that is used to evaluate healthcare facilities’ policies and practices related to LGBTQ patients, visitors, and employees.
- You can search the Healthcare Equality Index with your zip code to see what local facilities have been evaluated near you.
Local Resources
PFLAG (Parents, Families, Friends, and Allies United with LGBTQ People to Move Equality Forward) at the Manchester Youth Service Bureau
- The Manchester chapter of the nation’s largest family and ally organization committed to advancing equality and full societal affirmation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people through its threefold mission of support (to cope with an evolving society), education (to enlighten and inform the public), advocacy (to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights), and creating connections to community resources.
- Meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month from 6:30 to 8:00 PM and include an art and activity group for gender non-conforming kids (ages 6-12), an LGBTQ youth group (ages 12-18), and a parent/ally support group.
- Phone: 860-647-5213
- PFLAG National Office
- Phone: 202-467-8180
- pflag.org
Hartford Gay and Lesbian Health Collective (Manchester)
- An organization empowering individuals of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions to lead healthy lives through the provision of health and support services, education, and advocacy. The organization has put together a list of service providers, including LGBTQ+ friendly doctors and therapists.
- Location: 64 Church Street (HC East) Manchester, CT 06040
- Mon-Thurs: Appointment Only
- Fri: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Main office is located on 1841 Broad Street Hartford, CT 06114
- Phone: 860-278-4163
Connecticut TransAdvocacy Coalition (Farmington)
- CTAC’s mission is to make Connecticut a safe and tolerant place for the trans and gender non-conforming individual through education and social advocacy. The coalition provides an index of mental health resources as well as a list of support groups.
- If you are interested in receiving their eNewsletter join the email list with the CTAC eList Registration Form.
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TransAdvocacy
- Phone: 860-225-8812
True Colors, Inc. (Hartford)
- An organization creating a world in which youth of all orientations and genders are valued and affirmed. True Colors provides education, advocacy, and support to LGBTQ+ youth, their families, communities, and those who work with them.
- 2020-2021 Learning Resource Guide
- Phone: 860-232-0050
OutCT (New London)
- OutCT is a nonprofit organization established by a diverse group of LGBTQIA+ individuals and their allies in Southeastern CT to plan a New London Pride Festival. In addition to the pride festival, OutCT has planned art exhibits, film series, educational forums, drag shows, and a youth program. Their mission is to build a community through educational, cultural, and social programming that promotes acceptance, tolerance, and understanding of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
- Resources for Health, Counseling, and Support Groups
- Phone: 860-339-4060
Additional Resources:
- National Alliance on Mental Illness LGBTQI Page
- Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network LGBTQIA+ Behavioral Health Resources
- Connecticut’s Official State Website: Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) Programs and Services for LGBTQ+ People with Mental Health and/or Substance Use Disorders
D’Amore Mental Health’s Page on Mental Health Issues in LGBTQ Youth
This list of mental health resources for LGBTQIA+ individuals is by no means exhaustive and any recommendations for the inclusion of new resources is welcome. Supporting and sharing these resources is one step community members can take in ensuring the health, safety, and happiness of LGBTQIA+ individuals across the local community and beyond Pride Month.
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About Author
I am a lifelong resident of Manchester and a Facility Director with the Department of Leisure, Families, and Recreation. I graduated Manchester High School in 2017 and I’m currently an undergraduate student majoring in International Studies at Boston College. I am an editor for The Gavel, a progressive student publication, and a co-director for FACES, the anti-racism student organization at Boston College.
Fun Fact #1: I studied abroad in Granada, Spain. The Alhambra was the most beautiful place I’d ever been.
Fun Fact #2: I can speak Spanish and one day want to be fluent.
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