Mental Health and Collective Health Resources for Indigenous Peoples Theater Artists
We know that being a theater artist in New York City means navigating uncertainty, pressure, and a constant push to keep creating – even when your mental health needs attention.
This guide was created with care for our community: a collection of grants, directories, therapists, healing spaces, and podcasts that center the mental health needs of Indigenous indie theater artists.
Whether you’re looking for financial support for therapy, a competent mental health provider, or a space to reconnect with yourself or others – these resources are here to help you.
You deserve care. You deserve rest. You deserve healing.
We hope this guide helps make that a little more possible.
Grants and Funding Resources for Mental Health and Access-Centered Care
IndieSpace Mental Health Grant – The IndieSpace Mental Health grant awards individual indie theater artists $500 grants to use toward therapy, medication, meditation classes, and any other mental health-related costs. As the number of grant requests outnumbers our budget, we hold an opportunity drawing at the end of each month. It is our hope that by providing this financial resource, we can help remove barriers that prevent artists from seeking and receiving the care, support, and information they need to care for their mental health.
Yéigo Action Grant - Support for the growing landscape of Native artists and culture bearers who need financial assistance with a specific professional opportunity or towards a hardship that is hindering their creative practice, including an unanticipated medical or health issue that impacts an artist's ability to work and create. Grants range from $100 - $1,000 and are reviewed monthly.
Inclusive Therapists BIPOC Therapy Fund - Funds are open to people who are seeking therapy for the first time and support 12 sessions. The application is closed through June 2025 but is accepting signups for when the grant opens again.
HealthWell Foundation – Provides financial assistance to people living with chronic or life-altering illnesses, including mental health conditions. If you qualify, they may cover co-pays or premiums.
Entertainment Community Fund Artists Health Insurance Resource Center – Every Artist Insured provides individual enrollment consultations; webinars on Affordable Care Act plans, Medicaid and Medicare; and enrollment assistance.
The Bagtazo Foundation - The Bagtazo Foundation is a mutual aid program that provides direct funding and resources for mental healthcare treatments. The fund has not yet begun dispersing grants, but applications are open.
NYC-Based Mental Health Resources and Therapists
New York Indian Council - Culturally centered care and community-rooted services to help Native people thrive in urban life while staying connected to their tradition. Open to members of federally recognized tribes and offers insurance enrollment assistance, primary and preventative care, mental health care services, and specialty referrals throughout New York City.
ZenCare – A directory of New York City-area therapists who specialize in artists’ mental health.
Leslie Portillo - Licensed Creative Arts Therapist, Board Certified Art Therapist, Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapist, Reiki Master, & Curandera dedicated to serving LGBTQ2S+ and BIPOC communities.
Edwardo Bravo - Licensed Master Social Worker, Holistic Psychotherapist, and Medicine Man. He specializes in identity, depression, anxiety, colonial / imperial / race-based trauma, sexual trauma, and complex trauma.
Henry Zhu - Licensed Clinical Psychologist specializing in burn out, depression, complex trauma and passionate about working with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) populations, especially Asian, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American (ANHPIDA) clients.
Creatives Care – A New York City nonprofit that provides free, personalized guidance and referrals for artists and creatives seeking mental health treatment.
Low Cost Therapy NYC – A comprehensive guide to different kinds of low-cost therapy services in New York City.
211 – 211 New York is a free, confidential service that connects residents to local health and human services across the state. Available 24/7 by phone, text, or online, it assists with needs like housing, food, mental health care, and more. Simply dial 2-1-1 or visit 211newyork.org to find support in your area.
988 (fka NYC Well) – 988 is New York City’s mental health hotline covering everything from immediate suicide prevention and crisis counseling, to referrals to further resources. You can call the hotline, text, or chat with an operator via the website. Operators are available 24/7 in more than 200 languages. You can also call 988 to request a Mobile Crisis Team for yourself or another person.
National Mental Health Resources and Counseling Directories
NY State of Health Marketplace - American Indians and Alaskan Natives can enroll anytime for any NY State of Health program for Medicaid and Qualified Health plans for Natives that cover comprehensive physical and mental health services. If your income is between 100% and 300% of the federal poverty level, you can enroll in a “zero cost sharing” plan, which means you won’t have to pay any out-of-pocket costs.
Inclusive Therapists – A social justice and liberation-oriented mental health directory, community, and resource hub that centers on the intersections of racial, 2SLGBTQIA+, Neurodivergence, and Disability Justice.
Open Path Psychotherapy Collective – A nonprofit that provides low-cost therapy services to those who do not have health insurance, or whose insurance lacks adequate mental health coverage.
Lower Cost Prescription Drugs – There are a number of resources for finding lower-cost prescription drugs. These vary in accessibility and affordability. Some are also funded by drug manufacturers, which makes them complicated. Two resources that are generally accepted as helpful are GoodRx and NeedyMeds.
Healing Spaces and Resources
Relative Arts NYC - Indigenous owned and operated community space, open studio, and shop that showcases contemporary Indigenous fashion and design in NYC’s East Village. Their mission is to provide a peer-run space that fosters the advancement of Indigenous futurism through collaboration, celebration, and education.
American Indian Community House - The American Indian Community House is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization serving the needs of Native Americans residing in New York City. It offers talking circles, workshops, movie screenings, and other gathering opportunities.
Native Arts + Cultures Foundation (NACF) - This guide features ongoing grants and opportunities open to Native artists around the country, including financial support, residency programs, and fellowships.
Drums Along the Hudson - Yearly celebration presented by Lotus Music & Dance with drummers, dancers, arts international foods, and special guests. Free admission and often held in the summer.
Shinnecock Powwow - Annual Powwow held around Labor Day with Native arts, crafts, and food and a vibrant community of dancers and drummers from across Indian Country.
Current Immigrant Support Podcasts and Videos
Artists at Risk Connection Meetings and Workshops – Video collection includes challenges facing artists in authoritarian regimes and censorship.
International Arrivals – Conversations with artists about their work and their personal stories about migration, immigration, displacement, and home.
Define American with Jose Antonio Vargas – A YouTube channel covering news and conversation about immigration in America today, including politics, media, culture, personal stories, breaking news, and more.
Center for Art Law Visual Artists’ Immigration Clinics – Online workshops that are designed to guide emerging visual artists through the process of obtaining a visa to the United States and immigration under the current administration. Held throughout the year and registration is required.
Archived Immigrant Support Podcasts and Videos
While these podcasts and videos are not actively updated, their archived episodes may be a resource for you.
Immigrant Defense Project’s Indefensible Podcast Series – Stories of people resisting deportation and standing up and speaking out. Episodes recorded and released through June 2025.
¡El Arte, No Calla! – Spanish-language podcast from the Artists at Risk Connection that addresses issues related to artistic freedom and human rights.
Articulation by CuratorLove – Podcast that unpacked Latinx Contemporary Aesthetics, brown existence, labor, migration, immigration, Undocumentedness, and all things driven by the aesthetics of brown artists.
Disclaimer:
This guide includes resources and providers that have been recommended to us by members of our community. While we’ve done our best to share supportive and reputable options, IndieSpace is not affiliated with and does not formally endorse any of the organizations, practitioners, or services listed here. We encourage you to do your own research and choose the options that feel right for you.
If you have feedback on this guide or would like to share a resource, please contact IndieSpace at communications@indiespace.org. We appreciate it!