This collab is fighting one of the LGBTQ+ community’s biggest battles

A digital healthcare provider and a nonprofit organization are teaming up to support the LGBTQ+ community’s mental health.

The LGBTQ+ community have made many strides towards establishing rights for all queer and trans people. But the tireless work towards this freedom comes at a cost, both physical and mental. Not to mention, with society’s stigma and discrimination towards the LGBTQ+ community for simply existing, taking care of one’s mental health is of upmost importance.

FOLX Health, a nationwide digital LGBTQ+ healthcare provider, understands this well and their latest move is step towards bettering mental health for LGBTQ+ people. On Tuesday, FOLX Health announced its partnership with the Crisis Text Line, a nonprofit providing free, confidential, text-based mental health support 24/7, to combat the mental health epidemic impacting the LGBTQ+ community. With 50% of Crisis Text Line users identifying with the LGBTQ+ community, many of which do not have consistent access to mental health support, the partnership is expected give more support to the mental health needs of the LGBTQ+ community.

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“At FOLX Health, we recognize the disproportionate challenges our members face, with mental health issues occurring at rates 4-5 times higher than the general population, and yet, we’ve found that our affirming and expert care focused on the needs of the queer community has led to transformative outcomes,” Liana Douillet Guzmán, CEO of FOLX Health, said. “In a healthcare landscape ill-equipped to meet our needs, FOLX is committed to forging a comprehensive healthcare haven accessible to all. Our partnership with Crisis Text Line ensures that no matter what the circumstance or where you are, our members have a direct line to trained, mental health counselors when they need it.”

Anyone interested in using FOLX services can text FOLX to 741741 to connect with a live volunteer crisis counselor for support. FOLX’s partnership with Crisis Text Line adds to its collection of services dedicated to mental health care support, including therapy and mental health courses, support group expansion, and community platform events. Aside from mental health care support, FOLX’s services already include primary care, preventative care, gender-affirming care, sexual & reproductive healthcare, and fertility & family-building support.

While all of these resources are needed for LGBTQ+ people, mental health continues to be at the forefront of these support conversations. According to the Trevor Project’s 2023 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People, “56% of LGBTQ young people who wanted mental health care in the past year were not able to get it.” Additionally, the rise in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation is impacting the health of LGBTQ+ youth. The survey found that “nearly 2 in 3 LGBTQ young peoplesaid that hearing about potential state or local laws banning people from discussing LGBTQ people at school made their mental health a lot worse” and that “nearly 1 in 3 LGBTQ young people said their mental health was poormost of the time or always due to anti-LGBTQ policies and legislation.”

FOLX Health and Crisis Text Line’s new partnership will make strides towards bolstering mental health care for the LGBTQ+ community.

“We are honored to partner with FOLX Health to ensure its members receive free, confidential and nonjudgmental mental health support anytime of the day,” Dena Trujillo, CEO at Crisis Text Line, said. “Together, we champion inclusivity, amplify voices, and create safe spaces where every individual’s journey to healing and self-discovery is supported.”

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