Nonotuck Hosts Pride Month Presentation On LGBTQIA+ Community Mental Health

Nonotuck Resource Associates, Inc. was honored to recently host Ella Harris, Community Health Project Coordinator at the Greater Lowell Health Alliance (GLHA), as part of our LGBTQIA+ Pride Month celebration. Harris, a recent University of Massachusetts Lowell graduate and public health professional, shared insights from her work developing the “Pride Playbook,” a dynamic toolkit designed to support LGBTQIA+ mental health and community building not only during Pride Month but throughout the year.

The event was presented by Nonotuck’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEI&B) Committee.

Harris shared that 27% of LGBTQIA+ participants in GLHA’s recent Community Health Needs Assessment reported worsening mental health over the past year, with top concerns including cost of living, mental health access, housing insecurity, and healthcare affordability. She also highlighted that older LGBTQIA+ adults often face isolation and discrimination, emphasizing the need for intergenerational programs like storytelling workshops to build community and improve mental well-being.

The presentation also outlined practical interventions piloted through the Pride Playbook, including a resource scavenger hunt, community-building bingo, and a pen pal program connecting younger and older LGBTQIA+ community members. These low-cost, high-impact activities aimed to reduce barriers to care, build trusted networks, and foster a sense of belonging among participants. Harris stressed that small gestures, such as local businesses displaying Pride flags and offering affirming spaces, can make a significant difference in mental health outcomes for LGBTQIA+ people.

In closing, Harris encouraged organizations like Nonotuck to continue creating inclusive spaces and programming that center LGBTQIA+ voices, emphasizing that while initial participation may start small, consistent efforts build community over time. “People are lonely, and people need people,” she said.

Watch the presentation above.