Mental Health Resources in the LGBTQ+ Community

Produced by the HRC Foundation

If you (or an LGBTQ+ person that you know) is experiencing a mental health crisis or needs help, you do not have to face this alone.

Too often, false narratives attempt to blame LGBTQ+ people for their own mental health challenges. However, mental health challenges in the LGBTQ+ community can stem from anti-LGBTQ+ stigma, family and peer rejection, homophobic and transphobic hate speech and violence, workplace discrimination, and the rise in anti-LGBTQ+ state legislation, among other factors.

And there are many resources available to help. See below for a list of available hotlines, warmlines, and crisis lines, many of which are staffed by people specifically trained to work with the LGBTQ+ community. 

If you (or an LGBTQ+ person that you know) are experiencing a mental health crisis or need help, you do not have to face this alone. Please dial 988 or reach out to one of the resources below.

LGBTQ+ Crisis/Suicide Prevention Hotlines & Warmlines
*Not LGBTQ+ specific but LGBTQ+ inclusive

All Ages and Identities

Transgender Community

LGBTQ+ & BIPOC Communities

LGBTQ+ Adults

LGBTQ+ Youth

Notes:

  • A note about accessing hot/warmlines: internet usage and cell phone logs may be monitored and it is impossible to totally conceal usage information. Most resources that offer both chat and telephone resources recommend calling in if users are concerned their internet traffic may be monitored.
  • A note about confidentiality: although many resources say their services are confidential and they will only involve law enforcement or other services upon request, it is important to ask the staff member directly (or investigate the policies on the resource’s website, if available) to understand their specific confidentiality policies.

 

LGBTQ+ youth and adults in the United States face numerous mental health challenges, relative to their cisgender and straight peers.

Recent data from the 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) found that LGBTQ+ adults were over twice as likely as cisgender/straight adults to be diagnosed with depression, and almost three times as likely to have experienced poor mental health over the previous month.

In the 2022 HRC LGBTQ+ Youth Survey, over half of LGBTQ+ youth (age 13-17) screened positive for depression, and two-thirds screened positive for anxiety. In comparison, 42% of high school aged youth nationwide reported persistent feelings of sadness, and only 29% experienced poor mental health.

 

Last updated 11/13/24


The Human Rights Campaign reports on news, events and resources of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation that are of interest to the general public and further our common mission to support the LGBTQ+ community.
Topics:
Health & Aging

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