imi LGBTQ+ Mental Health Tool Launch
Blog Post by Michelle New
June 2022
imi is officially here! Designed with and for LGBTQ+ teens, imi (pronounced eye-me) is a free, digital, mental health tool that supports and affirms teens with diverse and intersectional identities.
imi covers four major topics: stress, queerness, stigma, and gender. There are opportunities to hear real stories from LGBTQ+ youth to help remind users that they are not alone in their experiences and users can sign up for mental health boosts through text or email. There are also activities to help users explore their gender identities, sexualities, and the intersectionality of these identities.
Hopelab, alongside CenterLink and the It Gets Better Project, recognized that identity-affirming resources are needed now more than ever. Poor youth mental health was on the rise across the U.S. before the COVID-19 pandemic, and now more than 300 anti-transgender and anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced across nearly 40 states, increasing healthcare disparities and suicidality for LGBTQ+ youth. Though research consistently finds that youth who have access to inclusive and gender-affirming spaces report lower rates of attempted suicide. imi responds to the need for safe, accessible, and research-backed support for LGBTQ+ teens and breaks down important topics like stress, LGBTQ+ identity, internalized stigma, and gender identity and expression through interactive resources, stories, and activities.
Project Glimmer would like to highlight this resource because we recognize the importance of mental and emotional well-being for teens and young adults especially. Given that many of the girls and women we serve have diverse and intersectional identities, imi can help increase self-confidence and teach necessary coping strategies. imi’s learning modules are also a great resource for those wanting to learn more about the LGBTQ+ community to do so in a respectful manner without placing the burden of educating on those around them. imi includes lists of proper LGBTQ+ terminology and sheds light on the unique experiences of LGBTQ+ youth.
You can access imi and support your mental health here. You can also help instill confidence in female identifying youth through volunteering with Project Glimmer, shopping our partners, and donating directly.