SameSame (SiyaFanaFana)

Navigating adolescence is challenging for everyone, but it’s especially difficult for young people questioning their sexual orientation and gender identity. In the United States of America, lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth are almost five times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers, and the situation is even more dire in countries like Nigeria and Indonesia, where support is dangerous to access, if it exists at all. At a time in their lives when they most need understanding and advice, LGBTQ+ youth around the world often have nowhere to turn. SameSame is here to change that. ACCESS TO INFORMATION In countries where LGBTQ+ people face discrimination, imprisonment, and the threat of violence, there's a desperate lack of access to private, secure, and relevant information. SameSame provides young people with an opportunity to access essential information from doctors, lawyers, therapists, and other young people who’ve had the courage to share their stories. SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH The stress of being LGBTQ+ in socially conservative and discriminatory environments can be profoundly harmful to queer youth. LGBTQ+ youth are far more likely than their peers to experience mental health issues. SameSame works with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) experts to create evidence-backed activities that help users set goals, fight depression and anxiety, deal with stress, and overcome both internal and external homo- and transphobia so that they can achieve their full potential. LINKING YOUTH TO SERVICES For LGBTQ+ youth who feel ready, or who find themselves with no other choice, SameSame connects them to locally-available service providers that have been vetted to ensure that they're LGBTQ+ friendly. Where vetting of doctors, clinics, shelters, and legal support is not possible, or services aren’t available, SameSame helps users understand how to access services as safely as possible. Contact us at hello@samesamecollective.org for more information.