We All Need Support at Some Point in Our Lives

Access to safe, affirming, and competent mental health care is crucial for the well-being of all individuals.

However, marginalized communities, including minority populations, as well as queer, transgender, and gender-expansive individuals, often face significant barriers in accessing these services. There are several factors contributing to these barriers:

Lack of Affirming Providers

Many mental health professionals may not have the necessary training or understanding to provide culturally competent and affirming care to individuals from marginalized communities. This lack of awareness and sensitivity can create an uncomfortable or even harmful therapeutic environment.

Stigma and Discrimination

Stigma surrounding mental health issues can be particularly strong within certain communities, and discrimination or bias from healthcare providers can exacerbate this. This can deter individuals from seeking help.

Limited Access to Specialized Services

Specialized mental health services that cater to the unique needs of these communities, such as gender-affirming care for transgender individuals, can be scarce, especially in rural areas.

Financial Barriers

Cost can be a significant barrier to accessing mental health care, especially for marginalized individuals who may face economic disparities.

Affirming Care Empowers Everyone

Creating a welcoming and affirming environment is essential for LGBTQ+ individuals’ well-being in therapy, and is key to quality mental health care for all.

Mental health professionals need thorough understanding of LGBTQ+ individuals' distinct experiences and needs for effective, affirming therapy.

  • Always use a person's chosen name and pronouns. Misgendering or using incorrect names and pronouns can be deeply distressing and invalidate a person's identity.

  • Mental health professionals should be aware of microaggressions and avoid using language or behaviors that may be insensitive or offensive to LGBTQ+ individuals. This includes avoiding assumptions about a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.

  • Use inclusive and affirming language throughout therapy sessions. This helps create an environment where clients feel accepted and understood.

  • Respect a client's decision regarding how and when to disclose their LGBTQ+ identity. Mental health professionals should never pressure clients to come out or share their experiences

  • Recognize that LGBTQ+ individuals can have multiple intersecting identities (e.g., race, ethnicity, disability), which can impact their mental health. Take these intersections into account in therapy.

  • Establish a therapeutic space where clients feel safe to discuss their experiences, including discrimination and challenges related to their LGBTQ+ identity.

Intersectionality is Key to Inclusive Mental Health

It's crucial to recognize the intersectionality of these issues and work toward a more inclusive and equitable mental health care system that serves the needs of everyone, regardless of their background or identity. Therefore…SBCS wants to begin by providing:

Affordable Care

Policies should be implemented to ensure mental health care is affordable to make it accessible to more people.

Safe Spaces & Support Groups

Creating support groups and safe spaces for individuals from marginalized communities can provide essential emotional support.

“This is so because a shared pain is no longer paralyzing but mobilizing, when understood as a way to liberation.”
— Henri Houwen

Affirming Care Starts Here

It is important to create a safe and supportive therapeutic environments for all individuals, regardless of their background, identity, or experiences. Such spaces are essential for promoting mental and emotional well-being and for fostering positive therapeutic relationships. When individuals feel seen, heard, supported, validated, believed, respected, and connected in therapy, they are more likely to experience positive outcomes and personal growth.

Accessibility + Advocacy

We believe that all people, regardless of income level, deserve quality health and mental health care services, so we’ve developed the Mental Health Fund to subsidize treatment costs for individuals in Baltimore.

 

 100% OF FUNDS RAISED GO DIRECTLY TOWARDS COUNSELING SERVICES

 

Therefore, your donations will help cover counseling sessions by our SBCS interns who work closely with our practice founder, Susan Stork, LCPC, and who are under the supervision of our lead therapist, Diana Harden, LCPC, to provide quality mental health care services and receive the required supervision.

Here’s how your donation could help our clients:

 WE ALL NEED SUPPORT. WE ALL DESERVE TO FEEL SAFE, HEARD & SEEN. 

JOIN US IN ADVOCATING FOR AFFORDABLE MENTAL HEALTH CARE
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