Mental Health Support Program — Report
Date: August 2025 • Prepared by SanctuaryNow.gay
Goal
$40,000
Raised so far
$27,300
68% funded
Funding gap
$12,700
Program Overview
SanctuaryNow.gay’s Mental Health Support program provides trauma-informed counseling, crisis support, and peer groups for isolated queer people worldwide, with priority to individuals in criminalized or high-risk environments. Services are delivered securely through encrypted platforms and a roster of licensed therapists and trained peer supporters.
Funding efficiency: We budget a blended average of $35 per 50-minute session (mix of licensed therapy and supervised peer support). At full funding, this delivers approximately 1,143 sessions—supporting about 381 people with a three-session stabilization track. Current funds support ~780 sessions (≈ 260 people).
How funds are allocated
Budget allocation donut chart Therapy sessions 60 percent, Crisis line & triage 15 percent, Supervised peer groups 10 percent, Platform security 8 percent, Translation & accessibility 4 percent, Monitoring & evaluation 3 percent.
Therapy sessions (60%)Crisis line & triage (15%)Peer groups (10%)Platform security (8%)Translation (4%)M&E (3%)
Measured outcomes (pre vs. post)
Pre and post intervention outcomes Suicidal ideation decreased from 45% to 19%; high distress decreased from 76% to 31%; perceived isolation decreased from 88% to 36%. 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% Suicidal Ideation High Distress Perceived Isolation Pre-intervention Post-intervention
Metrics from program intake and exit check-ins (3-session stabilization track; self-reported).
Key performance indicators
- 780 sessions funded to date (at $35 avg. per session).
- ~260 individuals completed a three-session stabilization track.
- 72% reported reduced distress after 3 sessions.
- 84% reported feeling “less alone” after one group session.
- 12 languages supported via trained interpreters.
Service Model & Safeguards
Delivery channels
- Encrypted 1:1 therapy with licensed clinicians (priority for acute cases).
- Moderated peer support groups for community and coping.
- 24/7 crisis triage with safety planning and discreet referrals.
- Asynchronous check-ins for users in time zones with curfews or connectivity limits.
Safety & privacy
- Session metadata minimized; pseudonyms allowed.
- End-to-end encrypted platforms and rolling access keys.
- Risk-based data retention; urgent cases prioritized for “delete-on-resolve.”
- Therapist network vetted for LGBTQ+ competence and trauma-informed care.
Financial Transparency
| Category | Allocation | What this covers |
|---|---|---|
| Therapy sessions | 60% | Licensed clinicians for acute and ongoing care (sliding scale) |
| Crisis line & triage | 15% | 24/7 screening, safety planning, emergency referrals |
| Peer support groups | 10% | Facilitator stipends, moderation, safeguarding |
| Platform security | 8% | Hosting, encryption, secure storage, audits |
| Translation & accessibility | 4% | Interpreters, captioning, plain-language & screen-reader QA |
| Monitoring & evaluation | 3% | Outcome tracking, anonymized reporting, quality improvement |
We publish quarterly anonymized metrics (people served, session counts, languages, outcome shifts) and independent financial reviews.
Geographic Reach (selected)
Middle East & North Africa
Egypt, Yemen, Qatar
Encrypted therapy and crisis triage where same-sex intimacy is criminalized or heavily policed.
South & Central Asia
Pakistan, Afghanistan
Interpreter-supported sessions; nighttime availability aligned to curfews and connectivity windows.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Nigeria (incl. northern states), Uganda
Acute stabilization for individuals fleeing raids, blackmail, or family-based violence.
Case Snapshots (anonymized composites)
“Farah” — Cairo
Facing online entrapment and blackmail, Farah reported insomnia and panic attacks. Three encrypted sessions reduced her nightly panic from daily to once weekly; she joined a women’s peer group and created a safety plan.Distress ↓ 60%
“A.” — Northern Nigeria
After a community raid, A. was in hiding. Crisis triage provided immediate coping tools and a referral to legal support. Two therapy sessions and one group meeting reduced intrusive thoughts and stabilized sleep.Sleep restored
What Your Gift Unlocks
$35
Funds one 50-minute counseling session for someone in acute distress.
$105
Covers a full three-session stabilization track for one individual.
$350
Sponsors a 10-person peer group cycle with a trained facilitator.
Gap to close: $12,700 — to reach 100% funding for the current cohort.
Methods & Data Notes
- Session counts derive from disbursements at a blended rate of $35 per session.
- Outcome measures use brief, trauma-informed self-reports at intake and after session three.
- Anonymization: all names and identifiable details changed; metadata minimized.
- Quarterly external review validates totals and spending categories.
Help Close the Gap
Your donation today ensures the next person who reaches out in crisis is met with a therapist, not a silence screen. Every dollar moves someone from panic toward steadiness.
- Donate now and fund immediate sessions.
- Share this report to unlock matching gifts.
- Volunteer skills: translation, facilitation, or outreach.
For donor questions or to discuss major gifts, contact donations@sanctuarynow.gay.
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