May 17 is the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. It's a day to stand together, raise awareness and remind the world that everyone deserves to live openly, safely and proudly. It's also the perfect moment to talk about something that often gets overlooked: mental care for LGBTQIA+ people.
Why mental care matters
Dealing with discrimination, rejection or people who don't get you can leave deep emotional scars. Research keeps showing that LGBTQIA+ people are more likely to deal with anxiety, depression and other mental health struggles. Not because of who they are, but because of how the world often treats them.
Looking after your mental health is essential. It means giving yourself the space, support and love you need to heal, grow and thrive.
Ways to support your mental wellbeing
Some reminders and ideas that can help:
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Find affirming spaces. An LGBTQIA+ community group, a supportive group of friends or a therapist who understands queer and trans experiences: being around people who see and celebrate you can make a huge difference.
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Set boundaries. It's okay to step away from situations, conversations or people that drain your energy or make you feel unsafe.
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Celebrate small wins. Even small steps, like reaching out for help or taking a moment to breathe, count.
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Be kind to yourself. Some days are harder than others, and that's okay. Being gentle with yourself is an act of resistance in a world that isn't always kind.
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Use the resources out there. There are hotlines, mental health organisations and online support networks, and many of them are made specifically for LGBTQIA+ people.
LGBTQIA+ mental health resources
Looking for support? These organisations and resources can help:
We also wrote a blog post with more places for gender support.
International
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ILGA World: a global federation fighting for LGBTQIA+ rights, with loads of resources: ilga.org
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Transgender Europe (TGEU): supports trans communities across Europe and Central Asia: tgeu.org
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It Gets Better Project: shares hopeful stories and resources for LGBTQIA+ youth: itgetsbetter.org
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MindOut: a mental health service run by and for LGBTQIA+ people: mindout.org.uk
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The Trevor Project: crisis support and suicide prevention for LGBTQIA+ youth: thetrevorproject.org
Netherlands
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COC Nederland: advocacy and support for LGBTQIA+ people across the Netherlands: coc.nl
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Transvisie: support organisation for trans people and their families: transvisie.nl
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113 Zelfmoordpreventie: suicide prevention helpline in the Netherlands: 113.nl
Other helpful platforms
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Switchboard: LGBTQIA+ helpline with chat and phone support: switchboard.lgbt
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Qwell: free online mental health support for LGBTQIA+ people: qwell.io
You are not alone
If you're struggling, know this: you are not alone.
There's a whole community, a whole world, standing with you. Organisations, friends and allies are here to lift you up and remind you that your story matters, today and every day. Read this blog post to find online places for support.
At UNTAG, we think caring for your mental health is just as important as the fight for rights, visibility and acceptance. We see you. We support you. And we're proud to stand beside you.
Share and save
Mental care matters, and nobody should have to figure it out alone.
Save this list, share it with friends or post it where others might see it.
You never know who might need it today, or someday soon.
Together, we can build a world where every LGBTQIA+ person feels seen, supported and celebrated. 🏳️🌈
