Created by a panel of four trans therapists, the resource reflects a diverse range of experiences, including gender, sexuality, ethnicity, and neurodivergence. Voda’s development process included feedback from over 2,400 trans participants and collaboration with trans thought leaders to ensure the content is affirming and relevant. Each programme is grounded in evidence-based therapy methods, covering essential topics such as managing gender dysphoria, coping with long healthcare waitlists, and navigating medical stigma.

Available for free on the Voda app, the library arrives at a crucial moment for the UK’s trans community, which continues to face significant mental health challenges. Long NHS wait times, systemic discrimination, and hostile political climates exacerbate the mental strain on trans individuals. Despite increased visibility, a lack of accessible, targeted mental health resources persists. Voda’s Trans Library aims to close this gap by providing comprehensive, tailored support.

Data from the NHS (2018-2023) reveals that wait times for gender-affirming care can extend up to five years, leaving many trans people in distress. A University of Manchester study also found that trans people are five times more likely to develop long-term mental health conditions compared to their cisgender counterparts. With the UK government’s controversial stance on the Cass Review and the looming ban on puberty blockers, the need for accessible mental health resources has only grown more urgent.

The project is led by Chris Sheridan MBACP (they/them), Voda’s Lead Psychotherapist, with support from a diverse panel of experts, including M Fok MBACP (they/them), a non-binary counsellor; Ellis J. Johnson MBACP (he/him), a queer trans man and psychodynamic counsellor; and Jessy Woods MBACP (she/her), a counsellor and psychotherapist. Together, they aim to provide a safe, empowering space for the trans community to access high-quality mental health support.

Chris Sheridan MBACP (Accred) FRSA (they/them) commented: “Our community has long faced mental health challenges that are often overlooked or inadequately addressed. When support is available, it is often expensive and comes with long waiting lists. We created the Trans Library to provide our community with timely access to mental health support and inclusive programmes to help individuals navigate their mental health journeys in the context of systemic oppression. We hope this ever expanding library becomes a source of support for trans people, not only in the UK but around the world."

Jaron Soh (he/him), co-founder and CEO of Voda commented: “It should not be the sole responsibility of trans people to self-regulate and heal from the systemic trauma they are put through. We should be changing society to rid it of stigma. But until that day comes, we hope that the library provides a much-needed safe space for trans people to find mental health support created by those who have lived through the same stigma they have.”

The library is designed to help trans people cope with transphobia, discrimination, and stigma. Voda’s app, which has already served over 20,000 LGBTQIA+ users, is available for free on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. With this release, Voda aims to provide vital support to millions of trans individuals around the world.