Health Plus NM

HEAL Plus NM is a grassroots network for LGBTQ+ health. We create resources and education by and for LGBTQ+ people. We advocate for the conditions for all people to be healthy. This fiscal year we expanded our Bright Spaces, Welcome Places, a directory of LGBTQ-affirming behavioral health agencies to include all healthcare providers. We refocused our directory on individual providers rather than entire agencies and we developed a self-attestation process with our members. In 2023-2024, we supported queer and trans communities through our bimonthly newsletters, and by hosting networking events. We hosted our third annual Queer and Trans Family picnic helping connect LGBTQ community members to each other and health resources. We also co-organized a vigil to process community grief and give young people a chance to tell their stories. HEAL Plus NM creates educational materials by and for LGBTQ+ people. We also released the latest installment of the SQUINCH for GSAs (Sharing Queer Understanding, Inclusion, Nonviolent Communication, and Health) curriculum, Module 12 Mental Health Mini Zine. This curriculum is free for all LGBTQ+ young people and their school clubs. We collaborated with Dr. Adsul at UNM to create cancer screening outreach material specifically for queer and trans people. We also distributed our resource guide for parents of LGBTQ+ children in English and in Spanish. HEAL Plus NM proudly launched the next iteration of SQUINCH with a spin off for parents, family members and community. We partnered with High Desert Playback to conduct story circles around the state to survey young people about the content they want their families to understand. We created a play and are in the process of finalizing the curriculum for parents. We will tour the state with the play and promote our resources in the coming year.HEAL Plus NM participated in a Workforce Equity Committee with racial justice organizations to propose systems-level changes to increase worker equity in New Mexico. HEAL Plus continues to gather the queer and trans community, share local resources and events in our weekly email, and work collaboratively for health equity across many areas that impact health.