Inclusive and accessible mental health support remains a high need – more than half of LGBTQI+ young people in the U.S. who wanted mental health care in the past year didn’t receive it
LOS ANGELES – June 18, 2024 – Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, a national leader in whole-person mental health, crisis care and substance use services, is celebrating LGBTQI+ Pride month in June by uplifting mental health and wellness services.
“We at Didi Hirsch believe that having pride in who you are is a key component of one’s mental health,” said Kristine Santoro, Ph.D., Chief Operating Officer at Didi Hirsch. “We celebrate the LGBTQI+ community and are here to support individuals wherever they are in their journey with the resources they need to thrive.”
According to The Trevor Project’s U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People, 39 percent of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, including 46 percent of transgender and nonbinary young people. More than 1 in 10 (12 percent) LGBTQ+ young people attempted suicide in the past year – a staggering statistic. The need is clear and significant, and yet 50 percent of LGBTQ+ young people who wanted mental health care in the past year were not able to get it. Didi Hirsch offers the following affirming services and resources to LGBTQI+ individuals.
Located in the City of Glendale, Our Third Place is a new, innovative drop-in center for young people ages 15 to 25 to access resources and support on their path to independence and wellness. Designed as a safe, nurturing environment that encourages creative expression, Our Third Place offers a digital recording studio, art studio, community kitchen, relaxation nook, showers and laundry facilities, as well as private spaces for mental health therapy, substance use counseling, classes and workshops on life skills and care coordination, including housing, employment and educational support.
Our Third Place will host new online support groups for LGBTQI+ individuals, including a peer support group on Fridays from 1 to 2 p.m. and T-Time, a support group for trans, nonbinary and gender nonconforming individuals, on Fridays from 2 to 3 p.m. Contact Our Third Place at 818-244-7257 or [email protected] for more details.
All youth ages 15 to 25 are welcome to drop in to, call or email the center to access services. No referrals are necessary. Our Third Place is located at 1540 E Colorado St., Glendale, CA 91205 and is open Monday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesday through Thursday from noon to 6 p.m.
Teen Line is a national hotline staffed by highly trained teens and supervised by adult mental health professionals who provide support, resources and hope to other teens struggling with mental health challenges. Teen counselors called “Listeners” respond to calls, texts and emails from other teens in need of support by providing an empathetic, listening ear to all who reach out. Youth can contact Teen Line’s hotline for help with a variety of concerns from gender identity to bullying, suicidal ideation and more.
Teen Line is available by calling 800-852-8336, texting TEEN to 839863 or emailing the Listeners through our website.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
988 is a free, confidential, 24/7 hotline for individuals experiencing emotional distress or considering suicide or anyone concerned about a loved one. 988 is available by calling the three-digit number or by texting PRIDE to 988. Callers to 988 can connect to affirming counselors with a specialization in LGBTQI+ care by selecting option 3. Individuals can also connect with 988 via online chat at 988Lifeline.org and selecting “LGBTQI+” in the pre-chat survey.
For more information about Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services and its inclusive care resources, visit https://didihirsch.org/pride.
ABOUT DIDI HIRSCH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services has been a national leader in whole-person mental health, crisis care and substance use services for more than 80 years and is home to the nation’s first Suicide Prevention Center. With deep roots in community-based mental health, Didi Hirsch is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing health equity, including where discrimination and injustice limit access. More than 1,000 staff and volunteers compassionately serve over 230,000 children, adults and families annually in crisis, telehealth, outpatient, residential, community and school-based settings. Learn more at https://didihirsch.org.
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