Pineapple Support, a mental health nonprofit for the adult industry, will host a free, online support group for individuals affected by suicide. The six-week program, "Seeking Support," is designed for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one to suicide or have survived a suicide attempt.

Program Details and Schedule

The "Seeking Support" group will commence on Monday, September 1, at 2:30 p.m. PT/5:30 p.m. ET/11:30 p.m. CET. James Rossi, a therapist with Pineapple Support, will lead the sessions. The group will meet weekly online at the same scheduled time.

A Pineapple Support representative stated that losing someone to suicide or surviving the experience is a profound and complex form of grief. The group aims to provide a safe and compassionate environment for participants to explore patterns of grief, healing, and post-traumatic growth alongside fellow survivors and healers. The program intends to support individuals in processing their experiences, fostering connections with others who understand, and moving toward a sense of meaning and resilience.

To obtain more information about the support group and to reserve a spot, individuals can visit PineappleSupport.org.

Pineapple Support's Mission and History

Pineapple Support was founded in April 2018 by British adult performer Leya Tanit. The organization was established in response to a series of deaths in the adult industry during late 2017 and early 2018, which resulted from mental illness or addiction, including the death of August Ames. Tanit chose the name "Pineapple" because it is a common safeword in the BDSM community, and she intended the organization to serve as "a safeword for performers."

The organization is a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the United States. Its mission is to provide free and low-cost mental health therapy to adult film actors, producers, and other professionals in the adult film industry. Pineapple Support offers 24/7 emotional support through over 300 trained volunteer listeners, as well as free or subsidized professional therapy from more than 120 kink-aware and sex-worker-friendly therapists across the United States, Canada, Europe, the United Kingdom, Colombia, and Australia. The organization also provides support groups, webinars, and educational resources aimed at combating stigma around mental health issues within the industry.

Since its inception, Pineapple Support has connected more than 20,000 adult industry professionals with mental health services, including free and low-cost therapy, counseling, and emotional support. In its first two years, Pineapple Support provided over a thousand members of the adult film industry with mental health support and resources. The organization states it has helped over 5000 performers and online sex workers through therapy referrals, active listening, and event partnerships with adult industry leaders.

Leya Tanit noted that suicide loss affects many in the community, often in silence. She stated that "Seeking Support" aims to break this silence and offer a space where survivors can gather, be heard, and begin to heal. Tanit expressed pride in offering this group as part of Pineapple Support's commitment to supporting the community during difficult times.

Industry Partnerships and Funding

Pineapple Support works with over one hundred therapists worldwide. The organization receives major funding from adult industry sources, including Pornhub, xHamster, Kink.com, Chaturbate, and Stripchat. Its 2023 revenues were approximately $557,000, primarily funding therapy subsidies and crisis intervention.

Pineapple Support has engaged in various initiatives to support the adult industry. These include bringing therapists to the AVN Awards to provide free, walk-in sessions for adult performers. In October 2019, Pineapple Support hosted the first online mental health summit specifically for the adult film industry, featuring sessions with over a dozen therapists. The organization has also partnered with non-profit advocacy group Free Speech Coalition for a Suicide Prevention Webinar and with the cam site XLoveCam (Shoshoro N.V.) for a Restorative Yoga Workshop.

Michele Karban, an online therapist for Pineapple Support for over four years, highlighted the organization's specialized service as a key aspect, which helps remove obstacles for individuals seeking therapy and support. Karban noted that this specialization allows people to feel safe discussing their work without fear of judgment or stigma. Tanit's goal in establishing Pineapple Support was also to ensure therapy sessions were affordable, with sponsorship and donations from industry companies being pivotal in subsidizing fees.

Key Facts

  • Pineapple Support will host a free, online support group called "Seeking Support" for those affected by suicide.
  • The six-week group will begin on Monday, September 1, at 2:30 p.m. PT/5:30 p.m. ET/11:30 p.m. CET and will be led by therapist James Rossi.
  • Pineapple Support is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in April 2018 by British adult performer Leya Tanit.
  • The organization provides free and low-cost mental health therapy to adult industry professionals and has connected over 20,000 individuals with services.
  • Pineapple Support receives funding from adult industry sources such as Pornhub, xHamster, Kink.com, Chaturbate, and Stripchat.
  • The organization works with over 120 kink-aware and sex-worker-friendly therapists across multiple countries.