Mental Health

If you or someone you know is an imminent danger to themselves or someone else, go to the nearest Emergency Room, Emergency Department, or call 911. Find additional crisis support services here.

Mental health is a critical component of our overall health and wellness. Ohio State understands that members of the LGBTQ+ community often face unique mental health challenges; a variety of general and LGBTQ-specific mental health services are available on- and off-campus for Ohio State students, faculty and staff seeking support.

Student Life Counseling and Consultation Service

Student Life Counseling and Consultation Service (CCS) provides drop-in and by-appointment counseling for Ohio State students. Whether you are seeking support in a one-on-one setting or looking for a support group, we encourage you to explore CCS’ approach to LGBTQ+ mental health care and to take advantage of their services:

• One-on-one counseling by appointment

• Let’s Talk: provides drop-in, informal mental health consultations on a first-come, first-served basis. It’s FREE and CONFIDENTIAL and open to all currently registered Ohio State students. It's a great option for students who may not need traditional counseling, but who could benefit from one-on-one support and consultation.
  
  You may choose a specific counselor, or you can select the first available time. Therapists that specialize in LGBTQ+  concerns include:

• Ven Palmieri (Ph.D.) - Specializes in LGBTQ issues, sex and sexual wellness, polyamorous/non-monogamous relationships, neurodiversity (e.g., autism, ADHD), students with disabilities, cultural identity development and exploration, political anxiety, sustainable social justice activism, systems-level interventions, prevention psychology, training and supervision.

• Sarah Peters (Psy.D.) - Specializes in anxiety, trauma, and LGBTQ+ concerns.

• Harry Warner (M.A., LPCC-S) - Specializes in LGBTQ+ concerns.

• Drop-In Workshops: free, drop-in-when-you-are-able workshops that do not require registration.

• Affinity Groups: identity-specific support groups. Timing and availability varies by semester. Check out the list of groups currently offered at CCS.

1. Queer Grad Group: a group that focuses on the social and emotional needs of graduate and professional students of any gender expression, identity, or cultural background who identify as queer and/or LGBTQ+.

2. Queer Undergraduate Group: a group that focuses on supporting positive mental health and social connectedness among undergraduate students who identify as queer.

3. Transgender and Non-Binary Group: a group for undergraduate and graduate students who are exploring their gender identity or who identify as transgender or gender diverse.

• Mental Health Support resources available to meet mild, moderate, and severe concerns.

• Mental Health Community Provider Database – search for private mental health care providers in the communities surrounding The Ohio State University campuses. Searches can be filtered by gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and more.

Mental Healthcare Financial Assistance

The Student Advocacy Center is currently able to provide financial assistance to students experiencing a financial barrier to seeking mental health treatment, or who are struggling financially as a result of recent mental health care costs. This funding helps make mental health care more affordable and alleviate the stress of outstanding, mental health-related debts. Awards can be up to $1,500. Learn more and apply.

The following organizations have mental health funds that offer free or reduced-cost mental health services:

• Asian Mental Health Collective - Lotus Fund

• Deconstructing the Mental Health System - Free Therapy Program for BIPOC

• Loveland Therapy Fund finances high quality, culturally competent mental health for Black women and girls

• Mental Health Liberation's BIPOC Therapy Fund and Black Mental Health Fund 

• National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network - Mental Health Fund

• Paths (Re)Membered Project offers no cost mental health services to Two Spirit and Indigiqueer 2SLGBTQ+ persons aged 15 years and older

• Therapy For Black Men - Financial Assistance for Therapy

Employee Assistance Program

All eligible Ohio State faculty and staff members on the OSU Health Plan have access to the Employee Assistance Program. Mental health services provided under the Employee Assistance Program include stress management, grief and change counseling, stress awareness and reduction training and individual and couples counseling. We encourage our faculty and staff, including those who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community, to become familiar with and take advantage of the free services provided under the Employee Assistance Program.

Additional Support at Ohio State

The following programs and resources at Ohio State and in the community are available to members of the LGBTQ+ community:

SilverCloud: an online, interactive mental health resource that provides students with cognitive behavioral skills and strategies accessible 24/7.

Ohio State Wellness app: find resources, connect to support, set goals and build healthy habits.

Wexner Medical Center:

• Mental and Behavioral Health services and resources

• Wexner Medical Center Crisis Management and Acute Inpatient Care: 614-293-9600

The Ohio State University Suicide Prevention Program: serves to engage and support students, staff, and faculty in suicide prevention efforts.

• Resources to Get Help Now

• Check out local and national resources

To search for additional Ohio State mental health resources, visit the Health and Wellness Resource Guide.

Find Providers

• Stonewall Columbus Counseling Services

• Mental Health Results from the Lavender Listings

• Mental Health Community Provider Database from CCS

• Find an LGBTQ-friendly therapist or therapy group with Gaylesta

• MyTransHealth is a free online directory that connects trans and gender non-conforming people with qualified, culturally competent mental healthcare providers

• The National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network offers a QTPOC Mental Health Practitioner Directory, community resources, and a Mental Health Fund that provides financial support for up to 6 sessions with a psychotherapist

• Therapy for Queer People of Color offers a therapist directory, free therapist matching consultations, and additional resources.

• The LGBTQ Psychotherapists of Color site can help you find an LGBTQ Person of Color Psychotherapist.

• InnoPsych also provides a therapist directory for finding therapists of color.

• Deconstructing the Mental Health System offers a BIPOC Provider Directory for mental health and cultural wellness professionals who are Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and QTPOC/LGBTQIA+ Affirming Providers. You can also apply for their Free Therapy program.

• Inclusive Therapy connects you to therapists that are affirming of POC and LGBTQ clients. Search their Therapist Directory or let Inclusive Therapy match you with a therapist. The organization also funds a BIPOC Therapy Fund for those who need financial support in accessing mental health care and the Black Mental Health Fund for Black activisits.

• Therapy for Black Girls offers a Therapist Directory.

• Therapy For Black Men has a Therapist Directory and offers Financial Assistance for Therapy Sessions.

• The Asian Mental Health Collective offers an Asian American Therapist Directory, Lotus Therapy Fund that provides financial support for therapy sessions with an Asian therapist, and a Resource/Org Directory for organizations and hotlines that support in the Asian community.

• Therapy for Latinx offers a Latinx Therapist Directory.

For even more resources, check out these LGBTQ-Specific Resources from Live Another Day.

Hotlines and Crisis Services

If you or someone you know is an imminent danger to themselves or someone else, go to the nearest Emergency Room, Emergency Department, or call 911. Find additional crisis support services here.

Additional Resources

You Are Made of Medicine: A Mental Health Peer Support Manual for Indigiqueer, Two-Spirit, LGBTQ+, and Gender Non-Conforming Indigenous youth; from Native Youth Sexual Health Network.