Queer Healing: Soulful Sessions Address Emotional Crisis

# Soulfully Queer Sessions: Addressing the Mental Health Crisis with Compassion

Hey friends, it’s Miguel Migs Santos here, your go-to person for all things queer and heartfelt. Today, I’m excited to share the latest on our transformative *Soulfully Queer Sessions*. These gatherings, an inspiring progression from our *Queer Hearts United* initiative, have taken off since launching in January 2026. They’re tackling the pressing mental health crisis among Filipino LGBTQI+ youth by combining soulful connection with candid discussions on depression, anxiety, and the risk of suicide.

## Stark Realities: Unpacking the Crisis

Recent findings from the [2024 Philippines National Survey on LGBTQ+ Mental Health](https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-international/assets/static/2024_Philippines_National_Survey_EN.pdf) highlight a grim situation: a staggering 75% of young LGBTQI+ individuals have seriously contemplated suicide, with 46% having attempted it, 34% of these attempts occurred just last year. The survey also reveals that 62% are grappling with symptoms of depression and anxiety, largely due to family rejection, street harassment, and the looming threat of conversion therapy.

Ferdie Buenviaje from TLF SHARE underscored these points during our sessions, emphasizing that stigma leaves merely 15% of these youths able to access the care they desperately need. Our *Soulfully Queer* events are striving to change this by providing supportive group circles in Manila and Cebu, enriched with self-love resources from [PAP’s Lusog-Isip Pride](https://www.pap.ph/announcement/174).

## A Sanctuary for Healing

Imagine a serene setting with candlelight, where members of the bakla, trans, and queer communities openly share the weight of societal perceptions marking their identities as “burdens”, a factor linked to a 61% increase in suicidal thoughts. Spearheaded by TLF SHARE and allies, these sessions draw on peer support models similar to those in LoveYourself’s safe clinics, specifically addressing the intersection of HIV and mental health challenges for older adults. The [World Health Organization](https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/safe-spaces-for-lgbtq–people–ending-discrimination–saving-lives) lauds such spaces as critical lifesavers.

Participants have already reported feeling emotionally lighter. One trans youth expressed, “Finally, a space where my soul feels seen.” With plans to expand to Iloilo in anticipation of the [2026 Global Mental Health Forum](https://gmhan.org/advocacy-forum-2026), these gatherings are more than conversations, they’re rituals of resilience.

## Building a Brighter Future, Together

As the 2026 PQSC calls for deeper insights into queer experiences, the [UP Rainbow Research Hub](https://cwgs.up.edu.ph/2026-philippine-queer-studies-conference-call-for-paper-and-panel-proposals/) is mobilizing scholars. Responding to this, *Soulfully Queer* offers free workshops addressing intergenerational trauma and stress amplified by climate change. Allies and supporters, your involvement is crucial. Join us through TLF SHARE, but act fast, spots are quickly filling up.

This challenge isn’t one we face alone; we’re tackling it with soul and spirit for everyone’s benefit. Let’s continue to thrive together, queens!

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