Celebrating Pride & Honoring LGBTQ+ Lives
Vibrant is committed to contributing to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable mental healthcare system in which every individual, regardless of identity, is acknowledged, understood, and supported. Pride Month is a time dedicated to honoring the LGBTQ+ community and its invaluable contributions, and it also serves as a reminder of the progress that has been made in advancing LGBTQ+ rights. There is so much joy to be had in celebrating the liberation that comes with living as your truest, most authentic self, and, as we celebrate Pride this year, we must keep in mind the importance of mental health equity and justice for our LGBTQ+ friends and colleagues.
It is no secret that there have been a number of political hardships faced by the LGBTQ+ community. According to the ACLU, the last few years have seen an unprecedented number of bills attacking gay and trans rights, many of which strip rights to self-expression and gender-affirming healthcare. LGBTQ+ lives and experiences are being criminalized and demonized to such an extent that the Human Rights Campaign recently declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ people – the first time in the civil rights organization’s 40+ year history. There is also a clear relationship between these actions and mental health – according to a study on anti-transgender rights legislation and internet searches pertaining to depression and suicide, Internet searches for suicide and depression increase when anti-trans bills are passed.
We urge the Vibrant community to support the LGBTQ+ community by educating yourself, respecting identities, listening to and validating peers, standing up to discrimination, and supporting pro-LGBTQ+ related events, causes, and legislation. Together, we can create an environment that values and celebrates all identities and communities. We can make the future Vibrant for all.
Pride Happens Here
Out @ Vibrant, an affinity group initiated and collectively led by queer staff, offers spaces for LGBTQ2SIA+/allied Vibrant staff to connect, share resources, and celebrate queer identity and culture. Out @ Vibrant is participating in this year’s NYC Pride March on June 25! Join the march to celebrate and promote emotional health, identity, and culture within the LGBTQIA+ community.
Vibrant Emotional Health Resources for the LGBTQ+ Community:
NYC Well
https://nycwell.cityofnewyork.us/en/
New York City’s Crisis Assessment, Information, and Referral Hotline
Call 1-888-NYC-WELL (1-888-692-9355); press “3” for Español; press “5” for 中文
Text WELL to 65173
Chat https://nycwell.cityofnewyork.us/en/get-help-now/chat-with-a-counselor-now/
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
https://988lifeline.org/
Call 988; press “2” for Español
Chat https://988lifeline.org/chat/
Individuals wishing to access specialized LGBTQ+ affirming counseling can be connected during the hours of 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. Eastern daily by chat and text (text Q to 988) and 24/7 by phone, by pressing 3 when prompted.
Disaster Distress Helpline
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/disaster-distress-helpline
Call or text 1-800-985-5990; press “2” for Español
If you are Deaf or hard of hearing, call 1-800-985-5990 via your videophone-enabled device or click on the “ASL Now” link via the website to be directly connected with a DDH crisis worker fluent in American Sign Language
Safe Space
Vibrant’s Safe Space is home to free resources and tools to provide you with some extra support in an emotionally safe environment. It includes the Lifeline’s crisis chat that connects individuals with counselors for emotional support and other services via webchat.
Additional Behavioral Health Resources for the LGBTQIA+ Community
Trans Lifeline
1-877-565-8860
The Trevor Project
1-866-488-7386
SAMHSA Behavioral Health Services Locator
1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Black Trans Advocacy Coalition
National Queer & Trans Therapists of Color Network
The Center of Excellence on LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Equity
Learn more about Vibrant and our mission by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to view our full list of mental health services.
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