Digital Mental Health Resources for LGBTQ+ and Allies
LGBTQ+ people, like all individuals, have diverse experiences with health and well-being. However, they face higher rates of mental health challenges compared to their heterosexual peers, and that number is growing due to factors such as the political climate, discriminatory legislation, and a general increase in anxiety and stress reported among younger populations.
Allies can support those in the LGBTQ+ community by providing safe spaces, listening, using inclusive language, and educating themselves through many of the resources found below. From a mental health perspective, recognizing early signs of mental illness in your LGBTQ+ family and friends can help provide timely support.
The following resources aim to spread awareness and offer tools and solutions to support the mental health and overall well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies. You’ll find videos, books, podcasts, research, crisis lines and more below.
LGBTQ+ Specific Websites
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project maintains a suicide hotline that is always open, giving those in the LGBTQ+ community a safe place to talk and get help.
Trans Lifeline
The Trans Lifeline provides support for those in need via a peer support network, which is available both online and over the phone 24/7.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Learn how to take care of yourself and other tips through this website, which also supplies visitors with a number they can call to get help anytime.
LGBT National Help Center
This national help center encourages others to call before a crisis happens and offers hotlines for seniors, those who need help coming out, and many more.
Colors LGBTQ Youth
Get support from people who understand what you’re going through and can help when you call about free LGBTQ counseling services in LA.
National Alliance on Mental Illness
NAMI has an entire section of its website dedicated to LGBTQ+ issues, including how you can find the right professional for mental health support.
PFLAG
PFLAG is one of the leading LGBTQ+ organizations and helps visitors find the support they need with access to dozens of resources.
Crisis Text Line
The Crisis Text Line offers help every hour of the day and night through WhatsApp as well as text messages through your phone and live chats.
GLSEN Student Resources
Find resources designed for LGBTQ+ students on this website, including programs you can join to become a mentor to another student.
Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality
GLMA is an organization of health professionals who operate a Lesbian Health Fund, advocate for health resources, and provide support to community members.
True Colors United
True Colors United offers a variety of programs to help LGBTQ+ youth, such as training and education as well as support for those who have lost their homes.
Pride Institute
The Pride Institute offers addiction treatment specifically designed for those in the LGBTQ+ community who commonly don’t have access to programs designed for their unique needs.
Pride and Mental Health
From Mental Health America, this website celebrates pride every month and has a section dedicated to helping those facing mental health challenges.
Scholarly Articles
Mental Health in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Youth
This article reviews recent research in the field of LGBT youth mental health.
Mental Health Resources for LGBT Collegians: A Content Analysis of College Counseling Center Web Sites
The authors of this article examine how college counseling center websites support LGBT students facing mental health challenges.
Reducing the Treatment Gap for LGBT Mental Health Needs: The Potential of Telepsychiatry
An article pointing towards the potential for telehealth and online appointments have to help overcome barriers to mental healthcare access.
Minority Stress and Mental Health Among LGBT Populations: An Update on the Evidence
Released in 2019, this article goes over the recent evidence and research on LGBTQ+ mental health.
Mental Health Care for LGBT Youths
Findings highlighting the diversity of the LGBT population and how this demands a diverse and combined approach in providing healthcare, including mental health support.
Availability of LGBTQ Mental Health Services for US Youth, 2014 to 2020
This article explores why mental health services for LGBTQ+ youth are challenging to access and suggests possible support structures.
LGBT Identity, Untreated Depression, and Unmet Need for Mental Health Services by Sexual Minority Women and Trans-Identified People
Discover what the lack of treatment options means and how certain populations face more struggles as a result in this detailed article.
Future Directions in Understanding and Addressing Mental Health among LGBTQ Youth
Nearly 20,000 people have read this article, which looks at how the mental health challenges of LGBTQ youth have changed and the directions professionals should take to continue providing quality care.
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Communities’ Mental Health Care Needs and Experiences of Mental Health Services: An Integrative Review of Qualitative Studies
Learn about current research on the LGBTQ+ community’s mental health needs and experiences.
Current Capacity and Future Implementation of Mental Health Services in U.S. LGBTQ Community Centers
Find out more about community help available to LGBTQ+ youth and the type of support they may need in the future in this article.
Typologies of Social Support and Associations with Mental Health Outcomes Among LGBT Youth
Identifies three social support profiles for LGBT youth and examines how these are linked to other social and economic factors.
Web Articles
Understanding LGBTQ+ Mental Health
A review of how uniqueness, social stigma, and discrimination impact the mental health needs of LGBTQ+.
LGBTQ Teens Often Struggle to Find Mental Health Care Tailored to Them
NBC discusses how fewer than 33% of treatment centers offer help specifically geared towards LGBTQ teens and the impacts of this shortfall.
Mental Health Care Lagging for LGBTQ Youth
US News & World Report reviews a study that found while the number of LGBTQ youth rose in recent years, mental healthcare grew at a lower rate.
People who are Gay, Lesbian, or Bi Have More Mental Health and Substance Abuse Problems
CNN Health discusses a survey finding that LGBTQ+ members are more prone to substance abuse and mental health challenges.
To Solve the LGBT Youth Mental Health Crisis, Our Research Must be More Nuanced
Myeshia Price uses this article to go over the mental health crisis in America and why more research is needed in the LGBT arena.
Mental Health Challenges of LGBTQ+ Kids
Take a look at some of the risk factors associated with the mental health of LGBTQ+ kids and what factors can make their lives easier.
Religious Trauma Still Haunts Millions of LGBT Americans
Spencer MacNaughton spoke with mental health professionals about religious trauma and how it affects people of different backgrounds, including LGBTQ+.
Mental Health of LGBTQ Youth Worsening in Current “Hostile Political Climate,” Survey Finds
Writing for CBS News, Cara Tabachinck goes over a recent survey that found that LGBTQ youth are facing more mental health challenges due to recent political changes.
LGBTQ+ Youth Are at High Risk of Depression, Anxiety, Suicide: How You Can Help
Learn how you can help LGBTQ+ youth with from depression and related conditions in this report from ABC News 7.
Videos
#1: LGBTQ+ Mental Health: Coming Out, Therapy, and Acceptance
This PsychHub video looks at some of the mental health challenges in LGBTQ+ community and how therapy and acceptance can help.
The Importance of Prioritizing Mental Health for the LGBTQ+ Community
Created by the Mayo Clinic, this video focuses on the needs of those in the LGBTQ+ community and how professionals can prioritize supporting them.
How to Take Care of Yourself
Learn how to take care of yourself and put your needs first in this video.
Mental Health and the LGBTQ+ Community
This public presentation by Jeff Day (DNP, AGPCNP-BC, CNEcl) at McLean Hospital features audience questions about LGBTQ+ mental health.
Protecting Mental Health in the LGBTQ+ Community
10 Tampa Bay worked with Safe Space on this video that discusses why protecting the mental health of LGBTQ+ community members is so important.
Culturally Competent Care for LGBTQ Youth
From the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, this video features the director of The Trevor Project as she explains the importance of culturally sensitive and competent care.
LGBTQ Youth and Public Health
Cynthia Hawk’s TED Talk focusing on the lack of public health resources for youth in the LGBTQ community and how others can step in and fulfill the need.
LGBTQ Mental Health Needs
Sarah Aked, Master of Social Work (MSW), uses her experience to talk about the growing mental health needs in the LGBTQ world.
Mental Health and Self-Care
Watch this video to learn more about the importance of self care when it comes to mental health.
Books
LGBTQ: The Survival Guide for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Teens
Guide for teens covering LGBTQ terminology, current understandings of gender identity and sexual identity as spectrums, and resources for support.
More Than Organs
Kay Ulanday Barrett’s poems share her experiences as a queer and brown person, helping readers realize they aren’t alone.
Life Isn’t Binary
Life Isn’t Binary shows readers life isn’t always black and white through a frank examination of transgender identities and how understandings of these identities have changed over the years.
Headcase: LGBTQ Writers & Artists on Mental Health and Wellness
A collected series of essays and articles from LGBTQ artists and writers about mental health and wellness.
Why Has Nobody Told Me Before?
Dr. Julie Smith, a mental health professional, wrote this book to provide readers with tools they can use to examine their mental health and uncover where they need support.
Queer Up: An Uplifting Guide to LGBTQ+ Love, Life and Mental Health
Alex Caught is the author behind Queer Up, a book designed to guide LGBTQ+ community members through the world of mental health and love.
Podcasts
Bottoming Podcast
Bottoming is a unique podcast designed to help those in the LGBTQ+ community who hit rock bottom learn that help exists and that they aren’t alone.
Mental Health Much?
This podcast is just for queer people who have questions about their mental health, tackling topics like social skills, safe spaces, and coming out.
Queer Magic Podcast
Queer Magic Podcast wrapped up its first season with episodes devoted to gender magic, religious trauma, stories from undocumented people, and much more.
The Inked Therapist
Genderqueer and queer therapist Dr. Del Knight looks at cisgender privilege, how to get help when you need it, and related topics.
Being Yourself Loudly
Isabel Mata uses her podcast to encourage others to be themselves and live the lives they want without worrying about how others think.
Inside Mental Health Podcast
Listen to the host of the Inside Mental Health Podcast as he talks with experts about how mental health and LGBTQ+ identity go together.
Neuro Queering: Beyond the Intersection of Neurodiversity and Queerness
Pasha Marlowe has an MFT and uses this podcast to talk about how neuro issues and queerness often go hand in hand and related topics.
Queer Health Podcast
The Queer Health Podcast features professionals and experts who answer questions submitted by listeners about LGBTQ+ mental health.
Apps
Subdial
Subdial is an app from Being Human to help the LGBTQ+ community and others who do not feel comfortable calling the police to find alternatives.
Better Help
Use the Better Health app to find mental health professionals in your area, including therapy for teens, individuals, and couples.
Wisdo: Mental Health & Support
If you don’t feel comfortable looking for local help, use this app to see virtual help groups along with live chat support 24 hours a day.
Pride Mantra: LGBT Counseling
Mantra Care launched this app as a way to help people struggling with body dysmorphia and other issues who want to get professional help.
Kalda
The Kalda app offers guides to help you work through depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions from the comfort of your home.
Happify
Use Happify to overcome negative thoughts that can weigh you down.
Calm
Calm is an app that helps you relax and battle stress through soothing nature sounds, anywhere you go.
Super Better
Super Better is an app designed for teachers and educators who want to improve the emotional and social lives of their students through special programs.
Be an Ally
Ally or Accomplice? The Language of Activism
Learning for Justice looks at what an activist is compared to an accomplice and how both can support those in the LGBTQ+ community.
Guide to Allyship
If you want to help the LGBTQ+ community or a specific person, use this website as your ultimate guide to see what you can do and how to handle mistakes.
Guide to Being an Ally to Transgender and Nonbinary Young People
Whether you’re a friend or loved one of someone in the LGBTQ+ arena, this guide helps you learn what you can and cannot do as you support them.
Human Rights Campaign
The Human Rights Campaign offers a free guide on how to become an ally along with tons of resources and opportunities for volunteers.
LGBTQIA Ally Tips
Discover some simple tips on how to become an LGBTQIA ally, including what you can do as an individual or as part of an organization.
LGBTQ Allyship Resource Kit
The resources available on this site are free and run the gamut from the history of the LGBTQ+ community to how parents can help their kids come out.
The Straight for Equality Ally Spectrum
Helping the LGBTQ+ community is a spectrum, and you can see where you land on this website, which talks about both the new ally and the super ally.
Being an Ally to LGBT People
Whether you’re straight or part of the community, this website helps you become an ally and learn what you can do to support anyone in need.
Allyship in Action
Explore how to start an allyship program in your community or organization and access the necessary resources.
Research: How to Become a Better Ally to the LGBTQ+ Community
The authors behind this piece look at how workplaces as well as schools and other settings can help those in the LGBTQ+ community and become better allies.
Allyship
Hosted by The Center, this website goes over what effective allies are and how you can promote allyship through speaking out, teaching, and other methods.
Another way to help the community is to become a mental health counselor with a focus on issues facing the LGBTQ+ community. Several programs, including those at New York University (NYU) and Santa Clara University offer specializations in this area. Select psychology and marriage and family therapy programs also focus on LGBTQ+ mental health. Typical requirements for professional mental health counselors include earning an approved master’s degree and state licensure, which includes supervised training.