Combat Cisnormativity in Res. Mental Health

We need your help to create a comprehensive tool to build a community of Residential Mental Health (RMH) professionals dedicated to and informed about cultivating safe, welcoming, and affirming environments for Transgendered and LGBTQ+ individuals.

 

This online tool and membership program will link RMH programs and professionals who score well on the assessment of their ability to support and nurture Trans and other LGBTQ+ individuals with programs and professionals who could use more support and guidance in making changes to their program’s structures and policies. The tool will cover all areas from HR to client-facing procedures to building structures (think LGBTQ+ employee retention, gender inclusive bathrooms, gender-informed room assignments). The tool will also be ever-evolving as more research and LGBTQ+ voices are heard, with RMH programs who score well on the assessment being involved in curating and creating research that informs the continual tool development. Programs doing well and programs needing support will be matched based on age of population served as well as finding a fit between strengths and areas of growth to ensure adequate and appropriate support is given to the program needing that assistance.

 

What your money will go to:

Paying Trans and other LGBTQ+ individuals for their time and experiences as they consult with us in creating the tool and community

HIPAA compliant email and cloud drive

Domain and webhosting

Marketing (logo creation, outreach efforts, etc.)

Non-profit Creation (filing and legal fees, copyrights, trademarks, etc.)

 

As the tool and membership program develops, we anticipate it to be self-funded with member programs paying annual dues that fund ongoing research and development, as well as items 1-4 above. Additionally, significant volunteer work will be contributed by individuals who are not part of the LGBTQ+ community but are well-trained and interested Mental Health Professionals or other adjacent professionals.

 

We (Lauren and Moque) have worked together in Residential Mental Health for the past five years. We are passionate about challenging the established norms and cultures of mental health care. During a recent training on Trauma Informed Ethics for LGBTQ populations in mental health, we became inspired to bring together a wider community and establish a vehicle for people's knowledge and lived experience to be accessed and used to create change in actual organizations.

 

Your financial donation is much appreciated as we are just getting this idea off the ground. If you are interested in learning how you can further support this work, please reach out!