TW- Suicide
The Alana Faith Chen Foundation offers support to the LGBTQ+ community through therapy grants across the U.S. They fight to ensure every LGBTQ+ person at risk of suicide has access to the mental health treatment and therapy they need.
Alana Faith Chen was a 24-year-old who died by suicide after years of conversion therapy and sexual oppression. It was Chen’s dream to work to help empower those who are oppressed and marginalized to find freedom, to find healing, and to find a voice. Adventure therapy, art therapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy were all paramount in her recovery and healing. Alana hoped to specialize in those areas when becoming a counselor. She wanted to somehow help make access to quality mental health services more accessible and affordable. Her family has now made it their mission to do just that. They especially fight the LGBTQ+ community who have suffered from conversion therapy, religious abuse, shame by their church, community, or another institution.
OFM had the chance to connect with Carrisa Chen who is Alana’s older sister and co-founder of the Alana Faith Chen Foundation.
Who is Alana Faith Chen?
Alana Faith Chen was my younger sister. We were two years apart. She was an artist, a musician; she loved the outdoors and frisbee. Alana had a really big heart for everyone, her family and friends, but even people she hardly knew. She always saw the good in people.
When was the foundation founded?
The foundation was founded in December 2019, right after Alana passed. We didn’t start partnering with therapists and providing therapy until June 2020.
What’s the goal and dream of the Alana Faith Chen Foundation?
The goal of AFCF is to prevent suicide in the LGBTQ+ community starting in Colorado where Alana lived and underwent conversion “therapy.” We are a small but mighty nonprofit dedicated to being here for people who are usually turned away because of lack of financial resources. We’re starting to contribute to therapy in other states like California and hoping to continue to grow and partner with queer affirming therapists around the U.S.
If you could tell someone who’s going through similar things that Alana went through, what would you tell them?
There are so many things I wish I said to Alana. I told her I loved her unconditionally but I wish I had the opportunity to say it more. If I could tell someone else I would tell them they are loved and beautiful and perfect just the way they are. No person, church, or belief system should be able to tell them otherwise. I would tell them to keep hanging on and that so many people, people that actually matter, love them and want them to be here with us.
What is the goal of the foundation for 2024?
Our goal of the foundation for 2024 is to continue being there for the individuals we are currently supporting with their weekly therapy and to support more individuals too.
Some of my favorite things we do at the foundation are community fundraising events in honor of my sister. Post-COVID, we’ve been able to do more of these events in person and partner with really awesome organizations. One event that anyone can participate in from near and far is the annual Run for Alana that is in May. I’m hoping our events continue to grow and reach more people in 2024
What are some ways people can support the work that you are doing?
Be part of our community! Follow us on Instagram or subscribe to our newsletter. Donate, or become a monthly donor. Even $10 a month makes a meaningful difference in someone’s therapy and healing journey.
Spread the word. Tell people about Alana’s story and our work. Many people don’t know what conversion therapy is or that it still exists and how damaging and deadly it can be. Beyond conversion therapy, the LGBTQ+ community faces many threats that have a direct impact on their mental health. Supporting someone’s mental health can go a long way.
Is there anything else you would like to share as we wrap up?
I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to tell people about my sister and the work of the foundation. Alana wanted to get a masters degree in counseling so that she could be a therapist one day and help others who are going through similar struggles. We work to carry out her hopes and dreams through the foundation.
To hear Alana’s story check out the new podcast Dear Alana, available wherever you get your podcasts.
Photo courtesy of Alana Faith Chen Foundation
