Voda, an LGBTQIA+ mental health app designed by LGBTQIA+ therapists, has launched the world’s largest free mental health resource specifically for the trans community. Amid a growing mental health crisis, the Trans Library aims to provide accessible and inclusive support tailored to the unique mental health challenges faced by trans individuals.
A library of 52 self-led wellness programmes
The Trans Library offers 52 self-led digital programmes covering a range of topics including managing gender dysphoria, coping with long waitlists, dealing with misgendering, and handling online trolling. The collection is created by a team of four trans therapists, each bringing lived experience across gender, sexuality, ethnicity, and neurodivergence. The programmes are evidence-based, offering practical, effective support to those in need.
Community involvement and consultation
To ensure the Trans Library reflects the needs of the trans community, Voda surveyed over 2,400 trans participants and consulted thought leaders from within the community. This collaborative approach ensures the content is not only relevant but also affirming and effective in addressing the specific mental health needs of trans people.
Responding to a mental health crisis
In the UK, trans individuals face significant mental health challenges due to systemic discrimination, lengthy NHS wait times, and a hostile political climate. Voda’s Trans Library addresses the urgent need for accessible mental health resources. Recent data from the NHS indicates wait times for gender-affirming care can extend up to five years, leaving many in distress. Additionally, research from the University of Manchester shows that trans people are up to five times more likely to experience long-term mental health issues compared to their cisgender counterparts.
A response to systemic challenges
Voda’s Trans Library also comes at a critical time, as the UK government’s response to the Cass Review and impending legislation banning puberty blockers further marginalises trans youth. The library provides an accessible, much-needed support system, offering trans people vital tools to navigate their mental health journeys amid these systemic challenges.
Led by trans mental health experts
The Trans Library was developed under the leadership of Chris Sheridan MBACP (Accred) FRSA (they/them), Voda’s lead psychotherapist, alongside a panel of trans mental health experts. The panel includes M Fok MBACP (they/them), a non-binary counsellor; Ellis J. Johnson MBACP (he/him), a queer and trans man of colour; and Jessy Woods MBACP (she/her), a counsellor and psychotherapist. Together, they have created a library that offers trans people timely access to resources, bypassing the long waiting lists and high costs often associated with traditional mental health care.
A global resource for trans individuals
Jaron Soh (he/him), co-founder and CEO of Voda, emphasised the importance of creating safe spaces for trans people to heal from systemic trauma. “While we continue working towards a society free of stigma and discrimination, we hope this library provides a much-needed refuge for trans individuals, offering support created by those who share their lived experiences,” he said.
Voda’s app, which has already supported over 20,000 LGBTQIA+ users, is available for free on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. With the launch of the Trans Library, Voda hopes to offer critical mental health support to millions of trans people worldwide.
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