As Mental Health Awareness Month begins, the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice recognizes and honors the importance of holistic mental health for LGBTQI+ communities. Burnout and mental stress are far too common amongst LGBTQI+ activists, and we believe that putting funding into the proper hands helps alleviate that. 

The Astraea Foundation’s trust-based, feminist philanthropy and flexible funding create space for activists to be open and honest about their communities’ mental health needs. We are proud to support grantee partners who do mental health work for LGBTQI+ communities. For example, our grantee partners’ work in Latin America includes free legal and psychological counseling for gender-based violence survivors by Corporación Feminista Caribeñxs (Montería, Colombia), psychological support through mental health helplines by Aireana (Asunción, Paraguay), a safe house for women with disabilities by Mujeres con Capacidad de soñar a colores (Panajachel, Guatemala), and healing circles by Movimiento de Mujeres Unidas Diversas y Empoderadas (Palmira, Colombia). 

Individual health and the wellbeing of communities are deeply interconnected. Our movements are only as strong as the grassroots organizations and activists who propel them forward. We can only continue to work towards a more just future if we prioritize our mental health. 

Your support makes this work possible. 

Double Your Impact

The Astraea Foundation has received a generous matching grant for $100,000 from Groundswell. This year, every gift to the Astraea Foundation will be doubled up to a total of $100,000. 

The lovely illustration “Mental Health Sustains LGBTQI+ Movements,” seen above, was created in partnership with artist Sophie Kathleen. For more information, please visit their website and follow  @sophiekathleen on social media.