#Out4MentalHealth is a statewide project that engages LGBTQ people throughout California to develop a mental health equity agenda and offer tools and resources that address these disparities and make our shared goals a reality.
#Out4MentalHealth Advocacy Toolkit
We are committed to providing tools and resources to build capacity in LGBTQ communities across California. This Advocacy Toolkit is intended to provide information, knowledge, and resources to engage in systems change and policy advocacy.
Fact Sheets
You can request #Out4MentalHealth fact sheets to hand out at events or keep in your lobby or waiting room. Fill out this form and we will mail or email you the requested materials. You can also preview or download all of our fact sheets using the links below.
- Pronouns: Why, how, when and what if I mess up?
- Finding a Therapist: You Deserve Care from an LGBTQ-Affirming Provider
- Who What Where and How of Mental Health Services
- LGBTQ ACES Fact Sheet
- Creating Visibility: Why and How You Should Collect Data on Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity
- Importance of Access to Gender Affirming Care
- LGBTQ Youth & the School-to-Prison Pipeline
- Making Public Comment
- CA County/Local Boards & Commissions Websites
Training
We offer a wide array of training during different stages of this project. Trainers are from organizations throughout California and are experts in their respective fields. Please take a look at our Training Menu. If there is a training you would like in your area, that is not already being offered by a local organization, please contact Rory O’Brien for additional information.
Click here to register and access our #Out4MentalHealth Advocacy Workshop.
Task Forces
#Out4MentalHealth Task Forces support local community members and organizations with engaging in LGBTQ Mental Health Advocacy at the county, state, and federal level. Each Task Force is led by local community members and organizations and open to everyone interested in advocating for LGBTQ Mental Health Equity. There are five #Out4Mentalhealth Task Forces throughout California, based in Shasta, Sonoma, Fresno, San Luis Obispo, and Los Angeles Counties. Please email Mandy Taylor to get involved.
Reports
Mapping the Road to Equity: The Annual State of LGBTQ Communities 2018
Mapping the Road to Equity: The Annual State of LGBTQ Communities, 2018 lifts up the voices of LGBTQ Californians to inform the work of community advocates, service providers, and policymakers. This report details the current state of LGBTQ health policy in California and the ways that a variety of issues impact LGBTQ mental health, including law enforcement, homelessness, school policies, and sexual orientation and gender identity data collection, and more.
First, Do Not Harm
The need for culturally competent mental health services is great, but greater still is the need to eliminate the multiple harms that contribute to negative mental health throughout LGBTQ communities. First, Do Not Harm: Reducing Disparities for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning Populations in California represents a snapshot in time of certain LGBTQ people living in our state.
Community Partners
#Out4Mental Health is a joint project of Health Access, The California LGBTQ Health and Human Service Network, and NorCal Mental Health America, funded through the Mental Health Services Act (Proposition 63) and the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission.
We are excited to work alongside the following organizations for this project:
How To Get Involved
- Subscribe to our blog
- Sign up for our Network Newsletter here
- Join a Task Force
- Email Mandy Taylor, our Outreach and Advocacy Coordinator, to be added to an interest list and be the first to learn about new opportunities to get involved
If you would like assistance with improving LGBTQ mental health services in your county, please email info@out4mentalhealth.org for technical assistance.