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Mental Health Resources in the LGBTQ+ Community
Produced by the
HRC Foundation
Last updated 11/13/24
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.
If you (or an LGBTQ+ person that you know) is experiencing a mental health crisis or is in need of 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 on working 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
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.
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.
Transgender Community
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.
LGBTQ+ & BIPOC Communities
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.
LGBTQ+ Adults
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 is a free, confidential, and anonymous mental health and wellness app that allows you to text one-on-one with volunteer listeners trained in LGBTQ+ and aging issues.
This service is available 24/7 and you can choose to be connected with a volunteer based on specific needs from the conversation, and you will be instantly contacted
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.
LGBTQ+ Youth
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.
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.
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