Project “With Rainbow Colors to Mental Health” – The First Protocol for Supporting LGBTIQ+ Individuals in Croatia

The “Vrapčići” Association from Slavonski Brod successfully implemented the project “With Rainbow Colors to Mental Health”, aimed at ensuring access to psychosocial support for LGBTIQ+ individuals in Slavonia and developing educational materials to help professionals and the general public better understand the specific challenges faced by this community. According to data from the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, 60% of LGBTIQ+ individuals in Croatia have experienced discrimination or stigmatization due to their sexual orientation. The lack of resources and support for LGBTIQ+ individuals is particularly evident in eastern Croatia, a gap this project sought to address.

The project was funded by the Active Citizens Fund in Croatia and, through a series of activities and collaborations, has led to significant progress in providing support to LGBTIQ+ individuals across the country.

The First Protocol for Psychosocial Support of LGBTIQ+ Individuals

One of the most significant outcomes of the project was the creation of the first Protocol for the Treatment of LGBTIQ+ Individuals in the Provision of Psychosocial Support in Croatia. This document laid the foundation for a more inclusive and sensitized approach within healthcare and social services, offering guidelines for professionals working with LGBTIQ+ individuals.

As Ivan Tomasić, the project coordinator, emphasizes, even the team itself was not initially aware of how significant this document would be and how much change it would bring.

“We noticed that even LGBT organizations had not addressed this topic, so we decided to step in. The path to human rights goes through the protection of mental health—one cannot exist without the other. We have contributed to making LGBTIQ+ individuals feel more comfortable in society because they did not encounter negativity. We are proud of this because we have provided a sense of security and acceptance.”

In addition to the Protocol, two informational brochures were also created:

• “Healthcare for LGBTIQ+ Individuals in Croatia“, which provides guidelines for medical staff and professionals working with LGBTIQ+ patients,
• “LGBTIQ+ Terminology“, which explains key terms and concepts, contributing to better communication and understanding among professionals and the general public.

Online Platform and Support for Over 24 Individuals

A major breakthrough within the project was the launch of the online platform queer-slavonija.info, which provides anonymous and secure psychosocial counseling. This platform has addressed a significant need in Slavonia, where support services for LGBTIQ+ individuals had previously been almost nonexistent.

The necessity of such support is evident in the fact that 24 individuals received assistance through the project.

“Even to me, this number seems significant. It took time for people to hear about the platform. Unfortunately, the LGBTIQ+ community is used to hiding. Counseling can be completely anonymous, and I believe that will make it easier for people to reach out to us,” said Dr. Dubravka Ergović Novotny, president of the Vrapčići Association and psychiatrist at the General Hospital in Slavonski Brod.

She emphasized that over the years, she has observed positive changes in the openness of LGBTIQ+ individuals, but also noted that challenges persist, including stigma and violence:

“There are still cases of abuse due to sexual orientation, and we must fight against that. We still live in a society where everyone is expected to be white, heterosexual, and religious. The moment someone is even slightly different, society tends to judge, criticize, and exclude them. The rates of depression and even suicide in this community are high. It is extremely difficult to cope without support—especially from those closest to you.”

Community Change and the Fight for a More Inclusive Society

What makes this project particularly significant is the fact that it not only provided concrete support but also laid the foundation for long-term improvements in the position of LGBTIQ+ individuals in Croatian society.

“We focused on doing concrete work, so there was no room to dwell on negative comments. Our role was not to inform the general public about something that other research had already confirmed, but rather to highlight existing issues and work on normalization,” concludes Ivan Tomasić.

The project “With Rainbow Colors to Mental Health” demonstrated the importance of such initiatives—not only for those facing mental health challenges but also for the education of professionals, community empowerment, and the creation of a safer space for LGBTIQ+ individuals in Croatia. Although the project has officially concluded, its results remain a lasting contribution to a more inclusive and supportive society.

The project was implemented in partnership with the Norwegian organization FRI and the Croatian organizations kolekTIRV, Informativno-pravni centar Slavonski Brod, and F.O.R.T.E.S. – Center for Democratic Development and Inclusion.

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Pioneering Identity Week in Slavonski Brod

On June 12, 2023, the Vrapčići Association officially introduced a pioneering initiative to the citizens of Slavonski Brod. The event, titled “Identity Week,” was organized as part of the ACF project “With Rainbow Colors to Mental Health.”

During Identity Week, residents and visitors of the Slavonski Brod City Library had the opportunity to learn about LGBT identities through exhibits showcasing LGBT pioneers in various fields such as science, art, sports, music, and culture, as well as through presentations on the written history of LGBT individuals.

In addition to the exhibit, the Slavonski Brod City Library established a special section dedicated to LGBT literature. After the conclusion of Identity Week, this collection was permanently integrated into the library’s holdings, ensuring long-term accessibility for students, pupils, LGBT individuals, parents of LGBT persons, and all other interested readers.