Frequently Asked Questions

 
Q: What services are provided at Hearts and Ears?

Hearts and Ears is a non-profit organization that uses the peer support model and group activities to provide a safe environment for LGBTQIA+ people 18 and over dealing with behavioral health find support and information from people with shared identities and experiences to develop healthy ways of coping and dealing with behavioral health challenges.

Q: What is peer support?

Peer support links people with shared identities, shared behavioral health challenges, and shared realities through peer-run support groups and resources. Our support groups and activities change every couple of months and include identity-based support groups such as our Men’s Group and Women’s Group, interests groups such as Art Therapy and Creative Expression Group, holistic groups, and groups aimed at loved ones and allies of LGBTQIA+ people.

Peer support is also about passing along information and knowledge about LGBTQIA+-friendly resources to those in need of help find health professionals, legal aid, and local organizations related to homelessness, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence. This includes a peer-led warmline operated by Hearts and Ears. Through providing these services and a safe space, we hope to help people learn to advocate for themselves and for their needs.

Q: What is a warmline?

A warmline is a peer-run phone network that allows people that need to talk about how to handle difficult experiences related to their gender identity/expression and/or sexual orientation, behavioral health challenges, and daily life. This does not replace crisis hotlines, but is a non-threatening, voluntary resource for people that just need someone to listen or talk to.

You are welcome to call us at 410-523-1694 during normal operating hours. If we are not available, leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible. If you need to talk with a hotline immediately please call Baltimore Crisis Response, Inc, a multi-service crisis intervention center providing 24-hour crisis intervention services, shelter, transitional housing, and community education. Crisis intervention program services are available to anyone in need 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 410-433-5175 or 410-433-5255. If you need emergency medical attention, call 911.

Q: What type of insurance does Hearts and Ears take? Do I need insurance?

Hearts and Ears is not a medical practice, is not run by medical professionals and does not require health insurance.
We offer free services that do not take the place of professional medical help but use people with shared identities and behavioral health challenges to increase support and help with acceptance of self and develop tools for living with behavioral health.

Q: Are people who are LGBTQIA+ automatically mentally ill due to them being LGBTQIA+?

The simple answer is no, not all people who are LGBTQIA+ deal with behavioral health challenges. However due to stigma, bullying, harassment, and/or lack of support face on the basis of sexuality and/or gender identity/expression, people who are LGBTQIA+ tend to experience behavioral health challenges at high rates than their cisgender, straight counter parts.

Q: Do you offer trainings on inclusivity and sensitivity towards LGBTQIA+ people?

Yes. If you would like for someone to come speak at your organization, please call 410-523-1694 during normal operating hours to establish if we are the right fit for your organization and about our availability. If we do not answer, please leave a message, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.