The WNY Trauma Collaborative believes that mental health and social justice are deeply interconnected. Therapy does not exist apart from the world we live in—it is influenced by the systems, policies, and power structures that shape people’s lives. We affirm that mental health therapy is political, and we stand proudly in the fight for equity, inclusion, and collective healing.

We are an anti-racist organization and steadfast allies to Black, Brown, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ communities. Our work is grounded in the belief that everyone deserves access to compassionate, culturally responsive, and affirming care.

Advocacy is central to our mission. We are committed to challenging injustice, addressing systemic barriers, and amplifying the voices of those historically marginalized within mental health spaces.

Together, we work toward a world where mental health care is equitable, accessible, and rooted in justice—because true healing requires more than individual change; it requires collective action.

You can make a difference — here’s how…

Engage in Policy and Advocacy Work

• Support or join organizations that advocate for mental health equity, such as the National Queer & Trans Therapists of Color Network (NQTTCN)

• Write or call legislators about funding for mental health services, anti-discrimination laws, and community mental health access.

• Participate in local advocacy coalitions - like SURJ Buffalo -focused on housing, healthcare, reproductive rights, or education—areas that directly affect mental wellness.

Make Your Practice a Site of Resistance

• Foster anti-oppressive, affirming therapy spaces through inclusive language and representation

• Revisit fees and policies to make care more accessible

• Integrate liberation psychology, decolonizing practices, and culturally responsive approaches.

Stay Grounded and Reflective

• Continue learning about privilege, power, and systemic inequity.

• Join peer networks for ethical activism and sustainability.

• Remember: advocacy can be both quiet and bold—all forms of healing work matter.

• Stay informed and know what is going on in your local community, State-Level, nationally, & globally.

Use Your Voice Professionally and Publicly

• Speak out against injustice through articles, social media, or community discussions.

• Name systemic harm (racism, transphobia, poverty) as mental health issues, not just social ones.

Support Collective Healing and Activism

• Host healing spaces for activists and organizers experiencing burnout.

• Teach about collective trauma and resilience in community settings.

• Encourage rest, joy, and connection as radical acts of resistance

UPCOMING PROTESTS & ADVOCACY oPPORTUNITIES.

Mobilize US - https://www.mobilize.us/

SURJ Buffalo - https://www.surjbuffalo.com/

Visit these sights to find the closest protest or other advocacy event to stand up for the injustices facing our most vulnerable communities.