HS Connect Launches “The Healing Space”: A First-of-Its-Kind Mental Health Hub for Hidradenitis Suppurativa Patients

HS Connect, a leading nonprofit organization in the hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) advocacy space, proudly announces the launch of The Healing Space, a groundbreaking mental health initiative created specifically for the HS community. Sponsored by global pharmaceutical company UCB, this innovative program features a diverse library of expert-led videos, educational articles, crisis resources, and a podcast—all designed to address the often-ignored emotional and psychological toll of living with HS.

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The idea for The Healing Space was sparked during a conversation between HS Connect founder Brindley Brooks and dermatologist Dr. Adam Friedman. While advocating for routine mental health check-ins with patients, the dermatologist posed a poignant question: “What do I do when they say they’re not okay? Where do I send them?” The answer didn’t exist, so HS Connect built it.

“There was a clear gap between recognizing emotional suffering and knowing how to support it,” says Brindley Brooks, Founder of HS Connect. “The Healing Space was created to bridge that gap and to ensure no one with HS ever feels alone or invisible again.”

The program includes:

• The Healing Space Podcast, hosted by HS advocates and mental health professionals, diving into real-life conversations about body image, trauma, identity, and chronic illness.
  
  
• An on-demand video library featuring topics such as coping strategies, guided meditation, art and music therapy, accessible movement options, and content designed for moments of crisis.
  
  
• Curated mental health articles, blending clinical expertise with lived experience in an approachable, empowering format.
  
  
• Support resources tailored for individuals who may not have access to traditional systems of care or feel overlooked by them.

Dr. Katelyn Baker, Psy.D., Senior Program Director at HS Connect and architect of The Healing Space, shared the intent behind the initiative:

“This program is built on the principle that emotional wellness is not optional—it’s essential. HS can affect everything from how you move to how you connect with the world. This is the space where people can find tools, support, and understanding—all in one place.” Founder Brindley Brooks added, "This is only the beginning; we have big plans for this program, including a HS-specific crisis line rolling out in the near future.”

According to a 2025 review article titled Cumulative life course impairment: Evidence for hidradenitis suppurativa - Doroudian Tehrani - Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology - Wiley Online Library, individuals with HS face significantly higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation than the general population.

“We found 20 studies assessing mental health in patients with HS. Multiple studies have demonstrated that patients with HS have higher rates of depression and anxiety. These patients also reported more loneliness, social isolation, and lower self-esteem compared to the general population.”

The Healing Space directly addresses these concerns with culturally competent, identity-affirming, and trauma-informed content. HS Connect Board President and Dermatologist Dr. Adam Friedman shared the following statement regarding the release of this program:

"The impact of chronic inflammatory skin diseases on every facet of life is well established, but the recognition of said burden is nowhere near enough. Hidradenitis Suppurativa is famous for being one of the most disruptive, most painful, most disabling dermatologic diseases for which we now have more treatment options than ever before, but these options don’t address the whole picture. Addressing the psychosocial and mental wellbeing is paramount, and now we have a place for those suffering, which can extend well beyond the patient, can go. Help is here."

UCB, the program’s sponsor, is proud to support this transformative mental health initiative.

“UCB is proud to support a resource that underscores the critical need to make space for mental health – a burden we know is felt heavily by those living with hidradenitis suppurativa,” said Jeffrey Stark, MD, Head of Medical Immunology U.S. at UCB. “'Healing Space' is designed to offer a refuge for reflection and connection, emphasizing the importance of nurturing our minds alongside our bodies. This is exactly the kind of innovation that brings humanity back into healthcare.”

The Healing Space is now live and free to access at www.hsconnect.org/healingspace. It is open to anyone impacted by HS—patients, caregivers, and clinicians alike.

About HS Connect

HS Connect is a global nonprofit dedicated to transforming the lives of those affected by Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), a chronic inflammatory skin condition. Our vision is a world where HS is free from stigma, universally understood, and effectively treated through innovation and education.

Driven by lived experience, we empower the HS community by bridging gaps between patients, healthcare professionals, and researchers. Through advocacy, support networks, and evidence-based resources, we amplify voices, dismantle shame, and advance equitable care. Our platform offers tailored tools for everyone—from those newly diagnosed to medical experts—fostering collaboration to accelerate research and improve quality of life.

Founded and led by individuals who understand HS’s emotional, physical, and mental toll, HS Connect turns personal journeys into collective strength. We are committed to normalizing HS, ensuring no one suffers in silence, and creating a future where compassion and science unite to heal.

Join us at HSConnect.org—where community fuels progress.

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“This program is built on the principle that emotional wellness is not optional—it’s essential. HS can affect everything from how you move to how you connect with the world. This is the space where people can find tools, support, and understanding."