A new partnership aims to break down barriers to mental health care.
In a move to make mental health resources more accessible, The Okra Project has partnered with BetterHelp to offer three months of free virtual therapy for Black transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expansive people across the United States. People can sign up via the link here.
The collaboration comes at a time when the need for affirming care has never been more urgent. According to The Trevor Project’s 2024 National Survey, 21% of Black trans or questioning youth reported a suicide attempt in the past year, more than twice the rate of their Black cisgender LGBQ peers. More than half considered suicide, while 83% reported facing discrimination based on race, sexuality, or gender identity.
For many, the cost of therapy and the lack of culturally competent providers remain steep obstacles. This initiative aims to remove those barriers.
Addressing a Crisis with Action
“Access to mental health care is not a luxury, it’s a necessity,” said Gabrielle Inès Souza, executive director of The Okra Project. “Black trans people are navigating multiple layers of trauma and erasure. This partnership is a step toward ensuring they can receive consistent, affirming care without a financial burden.”
BetterHelp, one of the largest online counseling platforms, offers therapy through video, phone, and messaging. By going virtual, the program sidesteps issues like transportation, geographic isolation, and the shortage of affirming providers in certain regions.
More Than a Food Justice Movement
Founded in 2018, The Okra Project began as a grassroots response to food insecurity within the Black trans community. Over time, it has expanded into a full-scale nonprofit offering therapy funding, wellness stipends, emergency aid, and healing-centered events.
The organization’s work has attracted partnerships with companies including Google, Dr. Bronner’s, and L’Oréal. Now operating as an official 501(c)(3), The Okra Project is focused on long-term sustainability and expanding its impact nationwide.
“Our work has always been about meeting people at the intersection of survival and liberation,” Souza added. “Mental health is part of that liberation.”
How to Access Care
Eligible individuals can apply for therapy through The Okra Project’s website, which outlines the process for connecting with licensed counselors via BetterHelp.
Also, don’t forget to sign up for three months of complimentary therapy via BetterHelp here.
