Congrats on the new Encircle home that was built, can you tell us a little bit more about it?

Our latest Encircle home just opened in Heber City, Utah. It’s a pretty rural community that has very few resources for LGBTQ+ youth and families. Encircle is the first LGBTQ+ resource center in that area. 

It is a really special home, built in 1892. We were so honored to be able to renovate this beautiful, historic space for therapy programs and support groups for the community. We opened the doors on June 10, and we were so excited to have nearly 600 people attend the grand opening to celebrate with us. It has been really fun to see the community begin to use the services that are offered in the Heber home, and we anticipate that it will continue to get busier and busier. 

World Mental Health Day is an important day to acknowledge, but is there anything in particular that Encircle focuses on in October?

October is LGBTQ+ history month filled with many important awareness days, including National Coming Out Day on October 11. There is a lot to recognize and celebrate this month, and our goal is to ensure that every LGBTQ+ individual knows that they are loved and that Encircle is here for them, wherever they are in their journey.

Any mental health philosophies that Encircle promotes or shares?

At Encircle, we never tell anyone what to do or who to be. We believe in giving our guests access to the best mental health service, and empowering them to do what feels best for them. 

We aren’t the experts of someone else’s journey - our goal is to just make sure they have the tools and resources they need. We are here every step of the way for youth, young adults, and families. 

Any advice you have to youth on resources to lean into for mental health topics?

Encircle provides educational materials for parents, as well as LGBTQ+ individuals themselves. We provide online services including teletherapy, ensuring that what we offer is accessible to anyone from anywhere.