if you can’t wait for
therapy, start here.

EMERGENCY INFORMATION

  • If you are in crisis, please contact 988 or go to the nearest emergency room.
    The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. 9-8-8 is available via call or text, and online chat.

  • Crisis Text Line is here for any crisis. A Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds from a secure online platform. Here to help you move from a hot moment to a cool moment.

  • “Navigating a Mental Health Crisis” provides important, potentially life-saving information for people experiencing mental health crises and their loved ones. NAMI created this guide to help people learn the warning signs of a crisis, strategies to de-escalate a crisis, and which resources might be available for those affected.

  • The Trevor Project is an American nonprofit organization founded in 1998. Focused on suicide prevention efforts for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth, they offer a toll-free telephone number where confidential assistance is provided by trained counselors.

    thetrevorproject.org

  • “Trans Lifeline provides trans peer support for our community that’s been divested from police since day one. We’re run by and for trans people.”

    -Trans Lifeline

    translifeline.org

    USA (877) 565-8860

  • Anyone affected by sexual assault, whether it happened to you or someone you care about, can find support here. get connected with a trained staff member from a sexual asault service provider in your area. or visit online.

    rainn.org

common questions

  • Depression is a term that in the general population can mean many things, anything from experiencing feelings of sadness to an emotionally debilitating condition that might include self harm thoughts. it is important to have a mental health professional assess your symptoms and make the appropriate treatment recommendations.

  • Talking about our feelings or problems can be scary for many reasons. experiences you’ve had in the past, or ways others have treated you can inform you that is not safe to open up. Professional mental health providers are trained to listen objectively and not judge you. If it’s too scary to reach out, there are many confidential hotlines, like the ones listed here that can help you anonymously.

  • Not all experiences might need mental health treatment. Sometimes reaching out to a friend, a community, engaging in mindfulness practices, being physically active, eating healthy foods and being involved in positive activities can help a great deal to make you feel better. If you have tried these and have not found them helpful, meeting with a counselor can help clarify your needs and provide more options.

  • Yes, for any person who is 18 y/o or older, what you share with your mental health provider is confidential and stays between you and that provider, except in very specific situations. Mental health providers are legally mandated to report information they have received regarding a person engaging in self endangering behavior or information about any type of abuse to elders or minors, but that doesn’t include the content of your therapy.

get support

  • Visit the 988 Help Yourself website to find tips and resources, like help finding a therapist or support group, or making a safety plan.
    Call 988 if you need immediate emotional support.

  • Each Mind Matters is California’s Mental Health Movement. Browse their collection of resources to find tools to improve mental health, prevent suicide and promote mental health tailored to LGBTQ+ needs.

  • “It’s okay not to be okay”

    "Everyone needs support sometimes. Together for Wellness connects California youth and their parents and caregivers to the best resources available for mental health and wellness.”

    -Together for Wellness

    togetherca.org

  • The Exiles is a 501(c)3 women- and queer- centered educational organization for all individuals who self-identify as other than cisgender men. Individuals must be over the age of 18 years old and have a positive interest in BDSM.”

    The Exiles SF

    theexiles.org


  • We are a pansexual organization, open to persons of all genders, sexual orientations (straight/gay/bisexual/etc.) and roles (top/dom/switch/bottom/slave/etc.). Our members range from inexperienced newcomers to "SM veterans" with years of kink experience. The Society of Janus also provides a chance to get involved with the greater SF Bay Area BDSM community.”

    -Society Of Janus

    soj.org

  • “Founded in 2011, Queer LifeSpace (QLS) is a nonprofit counseling agency that provides affordable, evidence-based mental health services to the LGBTQIA+ community in the Bay Area. We also run an internationally-recognized clinical training program for the next generation of queer-affirming therapists.”

    Queer Life Space

    queerlifespace.org

  • El/La Para TransLatinas works towards a world where TransLatinas are protected, celebrated, and loved, where trans/intersex/gender diverse Latinx people are welcome, safe, represented and valued in all spheres of life.”

    -El/La Para Trans Latinas

    ellaparatranslatinas.org/

  • Kink Aware Professionals is a listing of professionals of all fields who are sensitive or members of the alternative sexuality communities hosted by NCSF

    kapprofessionals.org

  • NCSF is a coalition of groups, clubs, businesses and professional organizations that serve consenting adults who engage in alternative sexual and relationship expressions. Our Coalition Partners provide strategic and policy planning, and set general goals for the Board to follow and implement. Our Coalition Partners elect the Board of Directors at our Annual Meeting, typically held in March which you can attend in person or online. We also hold quarterly online Town Hall meetings to discuss issues affecting our Coalition Partners”

    -NCSF

    ncsfreedom.org

  • “TASHRA is a leader in replacing societal stigma with scientific grounding in our understanding of kink and health.  Our focus is on health disparities; injuries and medical complications from engaging in fetish, kink and BDSM activities; and the discrimination experienced in healthcare settings. By conducting ground-breaking research and providing cutting edge clinical training, we can enhance the physical and mental health of people who engage in BDSM, kink and fetish practices.”

    -TASHRA

    tashra.org

  • Our mission to provide information to professionals, students, and others is consistent with the World Health Organization’s definition of sexual health which includes “a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being related to sexuality…” requiring a “…positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination, and violence” and that “the sexual rights of all persons must be respected, protected, and fulfilled.” (2002)”

    Center For Positive Sexuality

    positivesexuality.org

  • “Founded in 1996 LDG continues its commitment toward building a stronger sense of community through serving the educational needs of leathermen and their allies. Featuring informative, interesting and prominent guest speakers, LDG hosts demonstrations, workshops, community forums and expert panel discussions each year. Our monthly programs cover a wide range of sexuality, community, and personal growth topics, from BDSM technique, health and safety to relationships, fantasies, spirituality and much more. Although LDG's regular programs are focused on the specific needs and interests of kink-minded men, adults of all genders and backgrounds are welcome to attend.”

    -SF LDG

    sfldg.org

  • “HELPING YOU TAKE THOSE FIRST STEPS ON THE JOURNEY TO UNDERSTANDING ETHICAL NON-MONOGAMY”

    -Discovering Polyamory

    discoveringpolyamory.com

  • We are a group of volunteers with comprehensive sex education providing accurate, non-judgmental, confidential information about sexuality, gender, and relationships. We welcome calls from people of all ages with all types of questions around sex, sexual health, gender expression, identity, and the ways sex and sexuality can impact relationships. At SGR, we strive to provide fact-based information to assist each person receiving information in making choices and decisions that feel right for them.”

    -SGR

    415-989-7374

    questions@sgrhotline.org

    sgrhotline.org