Discover Vozes e Cores, a UERJ Institute of Psychology extension project that provides mental health support to LGBTQIA+ community

The research conducted by Vozes e Cores focuses on contemporary perceptions and explorations of LGBTQIA+ subjectivity. While carrying out the research, the project aims to provide valuable services to the community. These services are initially established as part of an extension project when students begin their studies at the university. Additionally, the project serves as an internship opportunity for Psychology students at UERJ.

“Vozes e Cores serves as both the public face of research and a mental health service,” says Mario Felipe de Lima Carvalho, the project’s creator and coordinator.

Origin of the idea:

In 2018, Mario Felipe worked as a substitute professor at the Human Rights Center of UFRJ (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro). During that year’s elections, he taught a class that focused on Human Rights and LGBTQIA+ issues. Following the second round of the election, a significant number of students were absent throughout the following week. This unexpected absence surprised Mario Felipe, as his students were typically dedicated and rarely missed class. When they returned, he learned that many had experienced suffering, faced difficulties leaving their homes, and feared exposing themselves to possible aggression on the streets. News of physical violence against LGBTQIA+ individuals had already begun circulating on election day, after the election results were announced.

In response to this situation, Mario Felipe, together with a friend who was a doctoral student at the Institute of Psychology at UFRJ, organized an event called “Roda de Escuta sobre Sofrimento Ético Político” (a conversation circle on Political Ethical Suffering), which eventually became a central concept at Vozes e Cores. This suffering is influenced by social, cultural, and political aspects of life in society.

Following the conversation circle, they decided to create something more specific for LGBTQIA+ individuals, focusing primarily on the suffering caused by politics at the time. The project was prepared in 2019 with the support of Professor Anna Uziel, the research supervisor at UERJ, and was submitted for funding through a public notice, which it successfully obtained.

“There is a concern about the current situation we are experiencing with hate speech, antagonism, family conflicts, and the significant suffering resulting from these circumstances. During our two years of research, we noticed that the family environment has become particularly violent for LGBTQIA+ young people. It is no longer a place of welcome or protection; quite the opposite. In fact, some families are going through a period of intense psychological pain and witnessing suicide attempts. Most cases of suicide or attempted suicide among LGBTQIA+ young people stem from breakdowns in family relationships. Providing assistance to these individuals is one of the motivations behind this project,” says Mario Felipe.

The therapeutic group meetings take place on Tuesdays at 2 p.m. and Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at UERJ’s Applied Psychology Service, located at the Maracanã Campus in Rio’s North Zone.

The only requirement for participation is self-identification as LGBTQIA+. Participants under the age of 18 must obtain parental permission to attend. Regular attendance is not mandatory, as demands and obligations can cause psychological distress for many individuals. The service is completely free of charge.

The main challenge faced by the project, according to Mario Felipe, is actively promoting the group meetings. The team consists of only nine interns, one of whom receives payment from UERJ.

If you are interested in supporting this project, one way to help is by sharing it on your social networks to increase

Follow Vozes e Cores on Instagram and on Facebook.

For futher information on LGBTQIA+ click here.