Yew Belong Community Services, Inc.

12/14/2025

LGBTQIA+ members of our community struggle with additional risk factors and barriers to accessing mental health services:

Low Community Acceptance: South Carolina ranks among states with low levels of community acceptance for LGBTQ+ individuals, which correlates with higher rates of depression and suicidality.

Mental Health Workforce Shortage: Over 2 million South Carolinians live in areas without enough mental health professionals, limiting access for LGBTQ+ individuals who need affirming care.

School-Based Challenges: Anti-LGBTQ+ education policies and lack of affirming school environments contribute to increased stress and isolation among LGBTQ+ youth.

At Yew Belong Community Services, we are dedicated to closing these gaps and providing an environment of qualified and dedicated supportive professionals and team members. Make sure to stop by our website in the coming weeks for more details about how we have been working to expand our expertise and ground ourselves in our mission and values as clinicians and members of your community:

https//yewbelong.com

12/11/2025

Self-love is a journey, and mantras can guide the way. What’s your favorite mantra that uplifts and empowers you?

12/10/2025

2025 has had a significant impact on the mental health and well-being of members of the LGBTQIA+ community:

Gender-Affirming Care Ban: In 2025, South Carolina enacted H.4626, banning gender-affirming health care for minors and restricting access for adults. This led to clinic closures and reduced access to essential care, worsening mental health outcomes for transgender individuals.

Anti-LGBTQ+ Bills: Multiple bills introduced in 2025 aimed to censor LGBTQ+ topics in schools, restrict identity document changes, and eliminate DEI initiatives, creating a hostile environment that negatively impacts mental health.

Lack of Comprehensive Protections: South Carolina still lacks statewide nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ individuals in housing and public accommodations, increasing vulnerability to stigma and stress.

Human Rights Day serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and justice for all individuals, particularly within the LGBTQIAP+ community. It highlights the importance of advocacy and support in fostering a society where everyone can live authentically and without fear of discrimination. Mental Well-Being is a human right, and we strive to make a positive impact on our community through the care our team provides.

This December, help us continue to support the mental health and well-being of our community. Consider being a part of the impact by donating to Yew Belong Community Services, Inc.:

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/december-donation-drive-for-lgbtqia-mental-health-services

12/09/2025

🎄✨ On this Christmas Card Day, we want to remind you that sharing a little kindness and love can go a long way! Whether it's a card to a friend or a thoughtful message to someone in need, let's spread the joy this holiday season. ❤️

12/08/2025

Discover the exciting new features of our website, designed to connect you with our dedicated team and the resources you need. Join us in 2026 as we unveil more opportunities for support and community engagement! Keep checking back with us between now and the end of the year for more details about what the new year brings!

12/02/2025

This Giving Tuesday, let's come together to support mental health! 🤝

At Yew Belong, we believe everyone deserves access to counseling—regardless of financial circumstances. 2025 has been a hard year for us all—our clients, our community, ourselves. We have invested everything that we have into supporting our community and remaining present in the face of significant social, political, and financial adversity. Our dedicated counselors contribute 35% of their paid services to cover 78.8% of our operations costs.

But since August, many of those we serve have faced job layoffs, housing insecurity, suicidality, loss of loved ones, loss of insurance benefits, and other hardships, causing a significant decrease in their ability to pay for mental health services. This, in turn, has created challenges in keeping our nonprofit running and continuing to serve those who need us most.
Community donations—just under $3,000 in 2025—covered unpaid account balances for some clients—totaling 120 sessions in 2025. We secured two small grants, totaling $1,000 each that permitted us to fund additional trauma-focused training for an additional team member and short-term counseling for 4 clients in need of urgent intervention. However, Yew Belong Community Services is still 15% below our budget to fund our clinical services for 2025.

December holds a lofty goal to raise $20,000.

We need your help.

Your contribution this December will ensure we can keep our doors open and provide care for every client who walks in—no matter their ability to pay.

✅ Donate today and make a difference: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/december-donation-drive-for-lgbtqia-mental-health-services

💙 Every dollar helps us sustain vital mental health services for our community.
Together, we can ensure that everyone belongs.

12/02/2025

🌟 This Giving Tuesday, let's come together to support our community! Every small act of kindness counts. Please consider supporting Yew Belong Community Services.

At Yew Belong, we believe everyone deserves access to counseling—regardless of financial circumstances. 2025 has been a hard year for us all—our clients, our community, ourselves. We have invested everything that we have into supporting our community and remaining present in the face of significant social, political, and financial adversity. Our dedicated counselors contribute 35% of their paid services to cover 78.8% of our operations costs.

But since August, many of those we serve have faced job layoffs, housing insecurity, suicidality, loss of loved ones, loss of insurance benefits, and other hardships, causing a significant decrease in their ability to pay for mental health services. This, in turn, has created challenges in keeping our nonprofit running and continuing to serve those who need us most.

Community donations—just under $3,000 in 2025—covered unpaid account balances for some clients—totaling 120 sessions in 2025. We secured two small grants, totaling $1,000 each that permitted us to fund additional trauma-focused training for an additional team member and short-term counseling for 4 clients in need of urgent intervention. However, Yew Belong Community Services is still 15% below our budget to fund our clinical services for 2025. We need your help.

December holds a lofty goal to raise $20,000.

We need your help.

Your contribution this December will ensure we can keep our doors open and provide care for every client who walks in—no matter their ability to pay.

✅ Donate today and make a difference: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/december-donation-drive-for-lgbtqia-mental-health-services

💙 Every dollar helps us sustain vital mental health services for our community.
Together, we can ensure that everyone belongs.

11/21/2025

Recent updates to the CDC website suggesting a link between vaccines and autism contradict the scientific consensus that autism has complex, multifactorial origins involving genetic, biological, and environmental interactions.

APA Services is committed to advocating for policies and research priorities that uphold rigorous standards for research and communication and actively counter misinformation and stigma.

Read more here: https://at.apa.org/ayg

11/20/2025

11/10/2025

Good news: Marriage is still the law of the land 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ The Supreme Court refused to hear a case that sought to challenge the freedom to marry for LGBTQ+ folks in the U.S., reaffirming that marriage equality is our right. This is a win that we deserve to celebrate today. And, at the same time, we must stay focused on protecting and supporting one another through the continued threats against our community at federal, state, and local levels.

90% of LGBTQ+ youth said recent politics negatively impacted their mental health. As q***r and transgender young people continue to face real, everyday challenges, The Trevor Project remains committed to supporting them 24/7.

Our work to create a brighter future for LGBTQ+ youth is a marathon, not a sprint. Let’s celebrate today’s victory, and vow to keep showing up, speaking out, and fighting for the world we deserve.

11/08/2025

November 8 is Intersex Solidarity Day 💜 💛

It is a day to remember and recognise those who have helped reduce stigma, improve conditions and advocated for Intersex rights.

Intersex Solidarity Day "Encourages conversations about the need for visibility, respect, and equality for intersex individuals. By fostering understanding and solidarity, we can help create a more inclusive society." – InterAction for Health and Human Rights