NO-ONE BLOOMS IN ISOLATION: LGBTQ+ MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT THIS SPRING
Published: April 5, 2024 by
Chal Zon
Spring has sprung! But for many LGBTQ+ people, winter can leave us feeling isolated, anxious, and depressed – and these feelings can last all year. Stigma and discrimination, exclusion, and rejection put LGBTQ+ people at high risk of mental illness.
LGBTQ+ mental health challenges
We’re two-three times more likely to suffer psychological or emotional problems than heterosexual people. This is especially true of marginalised groups under the LGBTQ+ umbrella like the trans community – almost half of trans people have considered taking their own life. Depression and anxiety are felt especially strongly in winter. The winter gloom can isolate us from our loved ones, leading us to adopt or fall further into unhealthy coping strategies. If you’re feeling stuck in your head and want to make a change, you’re not alone.
The power of community
LGBTQ+ identity comes with a powerful antidote to mental health challenges – a wonderful, global community who share your experiences. LGBTQ+ people have always stuck up for each other in hard times. Despite the mental health issues that LGBTQ+ people disproportionately face, we also have access to strong local and global networks that can empower you to improve your confidence, self-acceptance, and resilience. Sharing your experience with others is an incredibly powerful way to break unhealthy habits.
How you can reach out for support
No one blooms in isolation – your community is here to empower you to release your true, vibrant colours. Take a look at the list below to find identity-affirming peer support, self-care resources, and LGBTQ+-inclusive healthcare providers who understand what you’re going through.
Switchboard: Switchboard is the national LGBTQIA+ support line, for anyone, anywhere in the country, at any point in their journey. They can discuss anything related to sexuality and gender identity whether it’s sexual health, relationships or just the way you’re feeling. Call 0800 0119 100, email hello@switchboard.lgbt, or use their website chat function.
LGBT Foundation Services: LGBT Foundation offers a wide variety of Greater Manchester-based LGBTQ+-led community health & wellbeing services, including talking therapies, sexual health support, helpline, domestic abuse & sexual violence support, community safety including hate crime reporting, substance use recovery support, befriending and peer support, and trans advocacy.
LGBT Foundation Helpline: Our Helpline is a friendly, non-judgemental service that can provide brief interventions, advice, emotional support and signposting. The team will spend time with you to explore your current situation and work with you to identify potential next steps for support. Call us 0345 3 30 30 30 between 9am-8:30 pm weekdays or 10 am-5:30 pm weekends, or email helpline@lgbt.foundation
LGBT Foundation Talking Therapies: LGBT Foundation Talking Therapies provides the safe space needed to discuss emotions and identify strategies to maintain mental well-being. As an LGBTQ+ competent team, they offer a range of different modalities and practices to meet the varied needs of our community. The service is open to those who live in the Greater Manchester area, are aged 14+, and identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. Our service can provide support to you when you are dealing with a range of experiences, from coming out to dealing with grief or bereavement, we are here for you.
Pink Therapy: Pink Therapy offers a directory of qualified LGBTQIA+ friendly therapists and counsellors providing trusted, non-judgmental services for people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, asexual, intersex and anyone who identifies as gender, sex or relationship diverse.
MindOut: MindOut offer nationwide 18+ LGBTQ+ people online chat support, befriending, and peer mentoring, as well as in-person peer support for people based in Brighton and Hove.
Rainbow Mind: Rainbow Mind offer courses, group sessions and support options for LGBTQ+ people and groups across the UK, including support for mental health of LGBTQ+ people across London and Greater Manchester. Options include Radical Self-Care Courses, 1-2-1 IAPT sessions based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, counselling sessions, and online peer support sessions.
NHS IAPT Services: If you live in England and are aged 18 or over, you can access NHS talking therapies services for anxiety and depression. A GP can refer you, or you can refer yourself directly without a referral. NHS talking therapies services offer: talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), counselling, other therapies, and guided self-help; help for common mental health problems, like anxiety and depression
Gendered Intelligence: Support for young trans/non-binary/gender questioning people aged under 25, and their families, including youth groups in London, Leeds, and online, including groups for People of Colour and young trans women + non-binary transfeminine people.
London Friend (London): London Friend offer London-based LGBTQ+-led counselling, peer support groups, and more, for a wide variety of issues.
