Mental Health Resources to Support the LGBTQIA+ Community

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCrisis ResourcesOnline ResourcesTherapy ServicesSupport GroupsYouth ResourcesBenefitsOther Ways to Get HelpNext in Ally Up GuideHow to Be an Ally to and Within the LGBTQIA+ Community

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Crisis Resources

Online Resources

Therapy Services

Support Groups

Youth Resources

Benefits

Other Ways to Get Help

Next in Ally Up Guide

Close

LGBTQIA+people often face discrimination that can make accessing and receiving mental health care more difficult. Healthcare workers may not understand their needs, and negative interactions can make it less likely that people will seek help when they need it. And as the community continues to facediscriminatory legislationacross the country, both seeking and receiving help are a huge feat in themselves.

In a recent survey of more than 18,000 LGBTQ+ young people between the ages of 13 and 24, 39% of respondents said that they’d seriously considered attempted suicide in the past year, with 12% attempting.Such findings point to a need for psychological services that are designed to meet the needs of LGBTQIA+ people.

Several mental health resources have emerged to help address this need. Whether you are looking for help for yourself or are asupportive ally, becoming familiar with and sharing these resources can be helpful.

The Most Inclusive Online Therapy Platforms We Tried and Tested

If you or someone you care about is experiencing a crisis, the following hotlines can help you locate trained counselors, information, and other resources.

Crisis Text Line

Text LGBTQ to 741-741

Texting theCrisis Text Linewill connect you to a crisis counselor who can offer support. This resource is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Trevor Project

1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678

Trans Lifeline

1-877-565-8860

LGBT National Hotline

1-888-843-4564

TheLGBT National Hotlineis for people of all ages and offers a confidential, anonymous place to talk about issues including coming out, identity, bullying, safe sex, anxiety, and other concerns.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

988

TheNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineis a free, anonymous resource for anyone who is dealing with suicidal thoughts or behaviors. By calling or visiting the site to access their online chat service, you can talk to a specially trained counselor who understands issues that LGBTQIA+ people may be facing. Theirwebsite also offers a sectiondevoted to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer issues along with information for friends and family looking to help.

There are also a number of organizations that provide resources, education, and other services online. Some of these include:

Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN): Student Action

Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN)is an organization that offers information designed to help students take action and initiate changes in their schools and communities. Students who are interested in starting a Gender and Sexuality Alliance in their school can register to find resources and learn more about how student-led movements can help foster more inclusive schools for all students.

One study found that schools with anti-homophobia groups such as gay-straight alliances (GSAs) significantly reduced the risk of suicidal thoughts among both LGBTQ+ students and straight students.

GLMA Health Professionals Advancing LGBT Equality

GLMA Health Professionals Advancing LGBT Equalityis an organization that works to connect people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender with welcoming healthcare providers. You can visit the site to search their provider directory to find healthcare professionals in your area.

True Colors United

The True Colors Unitedfocuses on ending homelessness among LGBTQ+ youth. In addition to providing learning resources and advocacy, they also provide fundraising guides for those interested in raising money to support LGBTQIA+ youth.

There are also therapy services that specialize in treating LGBTQIA+ individuals. Online therapy, in particular, is an increasingly important way for people to access affirming therapy that is sensitive to the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning people.

Pride Institute

Pride Instituteoffers inclusive recovery programs for LGBTQIA+ people. They offer both residential and outpatient treatment programs for substance use and addiction. This treatment provider also offers a family therapy program, a sexual health program, mental health referrals, and telehealth options.

Pride Counseling

Pride Counselingoffers online therapy to members of the LGBTQIA+ communities. This service features counselors who not only specialize in helping people who are LGBTQIA+, they also have experience with a range of issues includingstress, depression, anxiety, sleep problems, trauma, relationships, self-esteem, and interpersonal conflicts.

As of November 1st, 2023, Pride Counseling no longer exists separately from its parent company, BetterHelp. BetterHelp claims that LGBTQIA+-affirming therapy services are still available.

PFLAG

PFLAGwas the first organization devoted to helping parents, families, and allies support LGBTQIA+ people. Today, the organization supports a network of more than 400 local chapters found throughout the United States. Through their site, you can locate or even start a local chapter of the support organization.

Q Chat Space

Q Chat Spaceallows LGBTQIA+ teens to participate in online support groups that are professionally facilitated. All members are verified and the facilitators guide conversations and enforce group rules to ensure safety. The site also offers an option for Spanish-speaking LBGTQIA+ youth.

Statistics suggest that LGBTQIA+ teens have a higher risk for mental health conditions including anxiety,depression, and substance use.

Nearly half (49%) of LGBTQ+ young people ages 13-17 had experienced bullying in the past year, with higher rates of attempting suicide among those who’d experienced it. Despite this, only half (50%) of LGBTQ+ young people who wanted mental health care in the past year were able to get it.

Some organizations that offer services specifically for LGBTQIA+ youth include:

It Gets Better Project

TheIt Gets Better Projectworks to remind LGBTQIA+ youth that there is hope and that no matter how things might be now, it does get better. The site offers resources and stories from people all over the world to encourage, uplift, and empower young people and to let them know that they are not alone.

LGBT National Youth Talkline

1-800-246-7743

Love Is Respect

1-866-331-9474

Love Is Respectoffers resources for teens about healthy relationships and dating violence. The site has asection specifically for LGBTQIA+ teenswith information about dating abuse, personal safety, supporting others, and other topics. In addition to providing information about healthy relationships, they also have counselors available to provide support, advice, and education.

The National Runaway Safeline

1-800-786-2929

The National Runaway Safelineworks to provide resources and assistance to young people who have run away from home. They also work to help those who feel unsafe in their home or who are thinking of running away. They can provide assistance with transportation, shelter, counseling, and returning home.

How Mental Health Resources Can Help

The minority stress model suggests that the increased rate of mental health issues among LGBTQIA+ individuals stems from their experiences with rejection and discrimination.The good news is that affirmative peers,social supportsystems, and professional mental health services can be helpful for people who are experiencing minority stress.

Having access to support is essential. The Trevor Project 2021 report found that LGBTQIA+ youth who had access to supportive spaces that affirmed their gender identity and sexual orientation had lower rates of attempted suicide. Many young people also reported that despite hardships, they also found strength and joy through things such as representation in media, learning more about LGBTQIA+ history, and therapy.

If you are dealing with a mental health issue, it is important to get help. Discrimination can not only lead to increased risk for mental health issues like depression and anxiety, but it can also affect the amount and quality of support that people may have from their own families.

5 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.The Trevor Project.2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People.Saewyc EM, Konishi C, Rose HA, Homma Y.School-based strategies to reduce suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and discrimination among sexual minority and heterosexual adolescents in Western Canada.Int J Child Youth Family Stud. 2014;5(1):89-112. doi:10.18357/ijcyfs.saewyce.512014Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.LGBT youth.Meyer IH.Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: conceptual issues and research evidence.Psychol Bull. 2003;129(5):674-697. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.129.5.674The Trevor Project.Research brief: accepting adults reduce suicide attempts among LGBTQ youth.

5 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.The Trevor Project.2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People.Saewyc EM, Konishi C, Rose HA, Homma Y.School-based strategies to reduce suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and discrimination among sexual minority and heterosexual adolescents in Western Canada.Int J Child Youth Family Stud. 2014;5(1):89-112. doi:10.18357/ijcyfs.saewyce.512014Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.LGBT youth.Meyer IH.Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: conceptual issues and research evidence.Psychol Bull. 2003;129(5):674-697. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.129.5.674The Trevor Project.Research brief: accepting adults reduce suicide attempts among LGBTQ youth.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

The Trevor Project.2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People.Saewyc EM, Konishi C, Rose HA, Homma Y.School-based strategies to reduce suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and discrimination among sexual minority and heterosexual adolescents in Western Canada.Int J Child Youth Family Stud. 2014;5(1):89-112. doi:10.18357/ijcyfs.saewyce.512014Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.LGBT youth.Meyer IH.Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: conceptual issues and research evidence.Psychol Bull. 2003;129(5):674-697. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.129.5.674The Trevor Project.Research brief: accepting adults reduce suicide attempts among LGBTQ youth.

The Trevor Project.2024 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People.

Saewyc EM, Konishi C, Rose HA, Homma Y.School-based strategies to reduce suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and discrimination among sexual minority and heterosexual adolescents in Western Canada.Int J Child Youth Family Stud. 2014;5(1):89-112. doi:10.18357/ijcyfs.saewyce.512014

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.LGBT youth.

Meyer IH.Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: conceptual issues and research evidence.Psychol Bull. 2003;129(5):674-697. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.129.5.674

The Trevor Project.Research brief: accepting adults reduce suicide attempts among LGBTQ youth.

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

What is your feedback?