Queer- and Neurodivergent-Affirming Mental Health Support through a Peer-Led Support Group
Grant Awardee: Joshua Mark George
The project aimed to strengthen access to affirming, peer-led mental health support for queer and neurodivergent individuals across India. In collaboration with the neuroqueer m ental health collective ADHD Queeple, the project provided online peer support groups and in-person community-based mental health events, facilitated by trained neuroqueer peers. The project also explored and refined different approaches to peer support, including listening circles, dance-movement therapy, arts-based activities, and capacity-building for peer supporters.
Project Highlights:
Onboarded six neuroqueer facilitators and delivered 36 online peer mental health support sessions and 8 in-person mental health events. Reached more than 150 queer and neurodivergent individuals across India through the project activities.
Online sessions recorded 91 unique sign-ups, while in-person activities included listening circles, arts-based meet-ups, dance-movement therapy sessions, and capacity-building workshops.
Participants rated the online support group highly, with 4.8/5 for session format and facilitator skills, and 5/5 for content, quality of support, and neurodivergent accessibility. The feedback highlighted the value of safe, inclusive, non-judgmental spaces, peer connection, empathy, and the ability to have agency over the support they received.
Strengthened ADHD Queeple’s existing peer-support model while creating opportunities to test different formats based on community preferences and needs.
The project’s work was highlighted through Revival Disability India’s “A Neuroqueer Guide to Organising Online” audio installation at reCONFERENCE 2025 in Kathmandu.
Established pathways for continued collaboration with Sangath projects, including Youth LEARN and iHEAR, to strengthen youth and lived-experience involvement in mental health research.