We have curated this page to provide a wide range of resources, including support organizations, hotlines, therapy options, online communities, and educational materials, all designed to empower LGBTQ+ individuals on their mental health journey. Whether you are seeking guidance, connection, or information, we hope these resources serve as a valuable tool to help navigate the complexities of mental health and foster a sense of belonging and resilience within the LGBTQ+ community.
Resources for Members of the LGBTQ+ community
Peer Support Groups
Peer support groups can be a great way to get free support from other people with a similar experience. All groups listed below are facilitated by and for members of the LGBTQ+ community who have personal experience with the mental health system, with trauma, or with getting support themselves. Contact Compass for more support options.
NAMI Connection is a free, peer-led support group for people who are concerned about their mental health. Groups are led by NAMI-trained facilitators who’ve been there. Connection groups allow you to talk about your experiences in a safe and confidential setting. The groups encourage empathy, productive discussion, and a sense of community. You will gain insight from hearing the challenges and successes of others.
NAMI Connection Support Group for members of the LGBTQIA+ community
Wednesdays at 7 pm
Learn more and join the Connection Support Group
The Kiva Centers hosts this LGBTQ+ specific group, where you can receive and give peer support to other members of the community in a space dedicated to LGTBQ+ people.
Sharing Safety
Saturdays at 11 am
Learn more about Sharing Safety from the Kiva Centers
Come join other LGBTQQIA+ folks to talk about extreme states, gender, sexuality, trauma, community and life in general. This group is based in peer-to-peer support, so whether or not you’ve been given a psychiatric label (or any other label not of your choosing) we can have conversations, not based in clinical language, that support each other to speak from our own language and tap into our own wisdom.
LGBTQIA+ Support Group
Thursdays at 5:30 pm
Learn more about Wildflower Alliance’s support group
Discord is a social platform that Wildflower Alliance uses to host an online peer support & community space. On their server, they also host a weekly peer support group.
LGBTQ+ Group on Discord
Sundays at 4 pm
Learn about the LGBTQ+ Group on Discord
LGBTQ Peer Support Group
Mondays at 10 am
Learn more about the SRLC Peer Support Group
Young Adult LGBTQ+ Support Group
Thursdays at 6 pm
Learn more about the SRLC Young Adult Support Group
Anyone for whom “woman” is a meaningful identifier or lived experience is welcome at Cambridge Women’s Center. This is a bi, trans, and non-binary inclusive group for those attracted to women.
Lesbian and Bi Discussion Group
3rd Friday of the month at 6 pm
Learn more about CWC’s Lesbian/Bi Group
LGBTQ Peer Support Group
One Thursday a month at 8:15 pm
View the PWYC Group Calendar
Fireweed Collective Support Groups are unstructured spaces where folks can connect to, and offer mutual aid with others who share similar life experiences and struggles. Groups run for a month. They meet once a week online for one hour.
QTBIPOC (Queer and Trans Black, Indigenous, People of Color ) Support Space
Mondays at 5 pm
Learn more about QTBIPOC Support Space
Butterfly Talks
2nd Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm
Butterfly Talks is space to build friendships and a sense of community for LGBTQ+ people of marginalized genders including women, nonbinary friends, and trans men. This includes those that are questionings, multiple gender loving, asexual, or ANY label under the LGBTQ+ umbrella. We welcome anyone that is 18+ and a part of the community, living anywhere to join us!
Learn more about Butterfly Talks
Lotus
2nd Wednesdays of each month at 7 pm
Lotus aims to forge community for all Asian LGBTQ+ communities by creating a space to get together to form friendships as we discuss a multitude of topics; some as heavy as the pressures of expectation to light topics like our favorite food. While we acknowledge that “Asian” is an umbrella term encompassing many subcultures. We strive to be inclusive and welcoming of everyone while avoiding beliefs rooted in ethnicism, colorism, or classism. This group welcomes all those of all Asian backgrounds including, but not limited to, those that are biracial, adopted, or immigrants. Those of all sexual orientations, genders, ages, and disabilities as well as those of diverse neurological, racial, religious, and cultural backgrounds are welcomed.
Learn about the Lotus Group
Black LGBTQ+ Space
2nd & 4th Saturdays of each month at 12 pm
This is a peer-led space for Black LGBTQ+ community. We hold space for ALL Black LGBTQ+ community, if you live at the intersection of being Black and LGBTQ+ you are welcome in this space.This space is open for you to to explore your identity, your history, where you came from and where you are. We welcome you to bring your entire self, regardless of where you are at in your journey. We welcome those that are unsure of their Black queer identity. This group is a space to learn and share about our collective experiences.
Learn about Black LGBTQ+ Space
WeConnect meetings for members of the LGBT+ community
Mondays at 7 pm
Wednesdays at 11 am
A support group for anyone who is dealing with substance use, mental health concerns, disordered eating, and any other quality of life concerns. All who identify as members of the LGBT+ community are welcome.
Learn more about the WeConnect Meeting
Virtual AA Groups for members of the LGBT+ community
A collection of online AA groups. Some are open and welcoming, and others are specifically LGBTQ+ focused.
View all of the Virtual AA Groups
Finding a Therapist
A therapist is a professional who you can talk to about what you’re experiencing and get support. Finding a therapist that meets your needs can be hard. These resources can help you with the process.
Discover a variety of carefully curated resources in this section to help you find an LGBTQ+-affirming therapist who can support your mental health needs and provide a safe and inclusive space for your unique journey.
Boston-Area GSM (Queer/Poly/Kink) Friendly Therapist List
Boston Area Friendly Therapy Resources
The Meeting Point Collaborative
These free services can help you find a therapist (for people in Massachusetts – may be limited by city or town).
Crisis Lines for LGBTQ+ People
In this section, you will find a carefully-curated listing of crisis call, text, and online chat services specifically dedicated to supporting the mental health needs of the LGBTQ+ community. These resources are available to provide immediate assistance and a listening ear during times of crisis. Whether you need someone to talk to or seek urgent support, these services offer confidential and affirming help for LGBTQ+ individuals in need.
Local Services & Resources
In this section, you will find a carefully-curated listing of crisis call, text, and online chat services specifically dedicated to supporting the mental health needs of the LGBTQ+ community. These resources are available to provide immediate assistance and a listening ear during times of crisis. Whether you need someone to talk to or seek urgent support, these services offer confidential and affirming help for LGBTQ+ individuals in need.
Self-Help Resources
Explore these self-help resources to find inspiration, guidance, and a sense of community on your journey towards mental wellness.
Gulp is a zine showcasing the unheard stories – through art, poetry and writing – of LGBTQIA+ people with eating disorders or complex relationships with food and/or their bodies.
Read “Gulp” the zine
“keep going: a pocket-sized pep talk for hard days” is an adorable, colorful mini-zine. It’s a pep talk you can carry around in your pocket for difficult mental health days!
Purchase “keep going” zine
A super cute, full-color, print, mini-zine about friendships as resistance, queer & trans friendships, community care, & more!
Purchase “friendships as resistance” on Etsy
A mental comp zine about self care for tough times. Contains short essays (typed or handwritten) about therapy, our love for pop culture, self care tips, embracing your feelings, self love and other self care tips. The creator says: “It was a big labor of love and I hope it will bring you some comfort during these troubled times.”
Purchase “I’m Still Here” on Etsy
Resources for Family Members & Allies
Looking for more resources?
Contact the NAMI Mass Compass Helpline. Compass is available Monday through Friday, 10 am – 6 pm. Call us at 617-704-6264 or email us at compass@namimass.org.