Intro to mental health support for trans/nonbinary survivors: a webinar for advocates

Many trans/nonbinary survivors experience mental health challenges. Connecting with supportive people, including advocates, can make a positive difference in a survivor’s life. This webinar explores some of the mental health challenges that trans/nonbinary survivors face how advocates may be able to recognize the need for mental health support, and the actions that advocates can take to offer support.

Intro and agenda 0:00
Who is FORGE? 3:16
Poll: What is your role? 4:59
Affirmation and support 7:43
Trans/nonbinary mental health 11:33

Interconnectedness and identity 14:22
Stereotypes about mental health 17:54
What do “mental health” and “mental health challenges” mean? 19:10
Understanding behaviors 23:59
Impacts of trauma 25:05

Connection, trust, and communication 32:57
Basic needs and self-sufficiency 40:28
Coping mechanisms 42:40
Ways to support survivors 44:30
Advocacy Do’s 58:24

Talking about diagnoses 1:00:18
Things you can help with 1:01:27
PLEASE tool for self-care and emotional regulation 1:03:55
Recognize misunderstanding/bias 1:05:56
What do I say? Where do I start? 1:07:10

Responding to a crisis 1:07:53
What else can you do? 1:14:05
Taking care of yourself 1:19:39
Questions and resources 1:21:55

Presenter: Emil Rudicell is from north Florida. They have been a community organizer and activist in a broad range of overlapping movements, with a focus on anti-violence movements, reproductive justice, and youth leadership. Emil brings over 20 years of experience working in direct service providing crisis intervention and peer counseling. They are a Project Coordinator with FORGE.