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LGBTQ+ people of color, similar to their broader LGBTQ+ community, experience alarmingly high rates of mental health challenges. It disrupts their daily lives and can be life-threatening, especially for children and youth.
Over a majority of LGBTQ+ adults of color in the United States are facing significant mental health challenges today. LGBTQ+ high schoolers of color are also more likely to attempt suicide (27%) compared to LGBTQ+ high schoolers (22%) and non-LGBTQ+ high schoolers (5%) in the United States.
[Disclaimer: This resource discusses suicide and other sensitive content. If you or someone you know is in suicidal crisis or emotional distress, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 and 1-800-273-8255.]
We know that LGBTQ+ people who are BIPOC often face barriers to treatment and care because of mistrust of the medical community, and high uninsurance rates among many other societal injustices. In the United States, more than one-quarter (28%) of LGBTQ+ adults of color have no health insurance coverage, compared to 8% of all adults.
While LGBTQ+ adults of color experience similar rates of mental health challenges as LGBTQ+ adults generally, they receive unequal rates of diagnoses. A rate of 29% of LGBTQ+ adults of color say they have been diagnosed with a depressive order from a provider, compared to 39% of the LGBTQ+ adults broadly, a ten point gap. Moreover, only 35% of LGBTQ+ youth of color receive emotional counseling.
Our mental health is important — and we must find solutions to address these inequities. To learn more about mental health in the entire LGBTQ+ community, see our other resource.
Below we’ve compiled resources for QTBIPOC mental health and wellness.
*Not LGBTQ+ specific but LGBTQ+ inclusive
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.
This free and confidential lifeline is available 24/7 by phone and offers direct emotional and financial support by and for members of the Trans+ community across the United States.
To access this lifeline, call: 877-565-8860.
The Trans Lifeline also maintains a directory of hotlines and warmlines that provide a range of specialized services including: BIPOC specific crisis lines, LGBTQ+ & religious crisis lines, substance abuse (crisis) support, mental health crisis support, and more. Additional information, gender affirming resources, and more can be found on their website.
This hotline is available 24/7, via call and mobile app, and provides peer-support, crisis-support, and an avenue to report vigilante and police misconduct. BlackLine is operated by and primarily for members of the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities.
To access this resource, call or text: 1-800-604-5841. Users can also download the BlackLine app on their mobile device. For more information and FAQs, please visit their website.
The Desi LGBTQ+ Helpline for South Asians is a free and confidential resource that provides peer-support to individuals identifying as LGBTQ+ and South Asian. The helpline can be reached between 8-10 pm Eastern on Thursdays and Sundays.
To access this resource, call: 908-367-3374. Callers can also choose to leave a message and request a call back if attempting to reach the hotline outside of operating hours. Additional information and resources, including local support groups, can be found on their website.
This free and confidential warmline is operated by members of the Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity with the goal of supporting, empowering, and connecting LGBTQ+ Muslims. The warmline is available from 5-11 pm Central on Fridays and Saturdays.
To access this resource, call: 71-QTM-INARA (717-864-6272). Visit the MASGD’s website to access their online programming, additional resources, and more information about the organization.
This free and confidential resource is available by phone from 4 pm-12 am Eastern Monday-Friday and 12-5 pm Eastern on Saturdays. Trained volunteers are available to support members of the LGBTQ+ community and provide a safe and affirming space to talk during operational hours.
To access this resource, call: 888-843-4564. More information, programs, and hotlines can be found on their website.
This helpline focuses on providing culturally-responsive support to Native American and Alaska Native survivors, family members, and friends affected by domestic, dating and sexual violence. This free and confidential resource is available 24/7 via text, call, or online chat for individuals across the United States.
To access this resource, text or call 1-844-7NATIVE (1-844-762-8483). The online chat, additional resources, and more information can be accessed here. 2SLGBTQ+ specific resources can be found here.
This trans-led and operated text-based crisis support resource is available 24/7 to anyone 18+. This 501(c)(3) grassroots organization explicitly focuses on supporting individuals belonging to marginalized communities.
To access this resource, text: +1-313-662-8209. THRIVE Lifeline also maintains a list of other resources, hotlines, and warmlines that provide (crisis) support to marginalized individuals; this list can be accessed via their website.
This free and confidential resource is available by phone from 4 pm-12 am Eastern Monday-Friday and 12-5 pm Eastern on Saturdays. Trained volunteers are available to support LGBTQ+ youth and provide a safe and affirming space to talk during operational hours.
To access this resource, call: 1-800-246-7743.
This crisis hotline is available 24/7 by call, text, or chat and primarily serves young people at-risk of running away or in active crisis situations across the United States. These resources are free, confidential, available for all ages, and provided in partnership with the US Department of Health and Human Services. NRS’ trained counselors can help users find and/or access LGBTQ+ specific resources.
To access this resource, call or text: 1-800-RUNAWAY (1-800-786-2929). Visit the website to access the live chat, forums, and additional resources. See here for NRS’ non-discrimination statement.
This text-based crisis line is available 24/7 and is dedicated to serving the mental health and emotional well-being of young people of color. The textline is available to those in need of mental health and crisis support. The Steve Fund also works with cross-sector partners and experts to further its mission and support the mental health and emotional wellbeing of young people of color.
To access this resource, text “STEVE” to 741-741. More information and resources can be found on their website.
This free and confidential* suicide crisis hotline is available by text, call, or chat 24/7 and serves LGBTQ+ young people ages 13-24 across the United States. The TrevorLifeline supports LGBTQ+ young people in active crisis situations and provides suicide intervention and prevention resources.
To access this resource, call 1-866-488-7386. For text-based support, text “START” to 678-678. The Trevor Project’s chatline can be accessed here or via the Trevor Project website. Additional resources and information (including their confidentiality statement) can be found on their website.
The Crisis Text Line is available 24/7 via text and chat to anyone in the United States experiencing a crisis. This resource provides mental health support via text.
To access this resource, text “HOME” to 741-741. More information about the Textline and what to expect when connecting with a crisis counselor can be found on their website.
This free and confidential resource is available 24/7 and provides non-crisis support for older LGBTQ+ individuals and their caregivers.
Please visit the website for user-specific instructions on downloading the associated app, creating an account, and accessing resources. The SAGE Hotline also maintains a resource hub with additional information and materials for Older LGBTQ+ folks and their caregivers.
This crisis hotline is available 24/7 by phone or online chat and serves users of all ages across the United States. The hotline provides free and confidential resources to persons affected by abuse, sexual assault, rape, or incest.
To access this resource, call 1-800-656-4673 or visit online.rainn.org to chat live with a trained support specialist. LGBTQ+ specific resources can be found here.
This crisis hotline is available 24/7 by call, text, or chat and serves users of all ages across the United States. The lifeline is a free and confidential resource funded by SAMHSA that provides mental health support, suicide intervention, and resources for prevention.
To access this resource text or dial: 988 (or 1-800-273-8255) for the main crisis line. To access LGBTQ+ services, press 3 if calling, text "PRIDE'' to 988, or indicate LGBTQ+ in the pre-chat survey. Users can also visit their website to access the chat, more information, resources, and best practices.
We partnered with Mental Health America to develop questions to help QTBIPOC find affirming mental health providers here.
*HRC does not evaluate nor endorse the background, training, affirmativeness or skill of anyone included in these directories.
Did you know online screening is one of the quickest and easiest ways to determine whether you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition?
Take this confidential, online mental health screening test courtesy of our partners at Mental Health America.
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