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.

LGBTQ+ Crisis/Suicide Prevention Hotlines

*Not LGBTQ+ specific but LGBTQ+ inclusive

Transgender Community

• Trans Lifeline - 877-565-8860

LGBTQ+ Youth

• LGBT National Youth Talkline - 1-800-246-7743
• TrevorLifeline - 1-866-488-7386
• TrevorText - Text START to 678-678
• The Steve Fund Crisis Textline* - Text STEVE to 741741

LGBTQ+ Adults

• Lifeline* - 1-800-273-8255
• Crisis Text Line* - Text HOME to 741741

All Ages

• LGBT National Hotline - 1-888-843-4564

Finding Treatment and Resources

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.

• American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists
• Ayana Therapy App
• Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Therapist Directory
• Black Virtual Therapist Network
• GLMA Provider Directory
• LatinX Therapy
• National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network
• Therapy for Black Girls
• Psychology Today
• The LGBT National Resource Database

Mental Health Screening

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.

Mental Health & Wellness Organizations

• Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective
• Melanin and Mental Health
• Mental Health America
• Rest for Resistance by QTPOC Mental Health
• South Asian Sexual & Mental Health Alliance
• The Steve Fund
• Trevor Project
• We R Native

Mental Health Blogs, Resources, Videos & Webinars from HRC

Blogs & Resources

• Direct Online and Phone Support Services for LGBTQ Youth
• HRC Observes Black Indigenous People of Color Mental Health Month 2020
• HRC Recognizes Mental Health Awareness Month 2020
• HRC Observes Mental Health Awareness Month 2019
• Three Ways to Combat Mental Health Stigma in LGBTQ Communities
• Mental Health at the Intersections - George M. Johnson
• HRC and Partners to Host #MMHMChat to Mark Minority Mental Health Month
• Minority Mental Health is #NotACharacterFlaw

Videos & Webinars

• BIPOC Mental Health Month Kickoff 2020 (Panel Discussion)
• HRC Youth Ambassador Jacob Kanter Speaks at Time to THRIVE 2020
• Mental Health in LGBTQ Communities of Color (2019 Panel Discussion)
• HRC 2018 Youth Report: LGBTQ Teens on Feeling Safe
• HRC 2018 Youth Report: Transgender Teens on Using Bathroom at School
• Mental Health in LGBTQ Communities of Color (2018 Panel Discussion)
• Nothing to Hide - Minority LGBTQ Mental Health (2017 Panel Discussion)
• 2017 Mental Health Awareness Month