CARE+

CARE+ (Creating Affirming & Resilient Environments) is a youth-led mental health and wellbeing innovation in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, implemented by YIFoS Indonesia in collaboration with MANICFEST. CARE+ responds to the emotional distress, stigma, isolation, and safety risks experienced by queer adolescents and young people in faith-based educational and community settings. The project combines queer affirming mental health literacy, confidential peer support, creative storytelling, ally educator engagement, caregiver dialogues, and referral pathways to create safer and more resilient environments. The innovation aims to strengthen psychosocial wellbeing, reduce isolation, improve access to affirming support, and generate practical learning for more inclusive youth mental health responses in Indonesia.