LGBTQ+ Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing

Galop works directly with thousands of LGBT+ people who have experienced abuse and violence every year. They specialise in supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence, hate crime, honour-based abuse, forced marriage, so-called conversion therapies, and other forms of interpersonal abuse. They are a service run by LGBT+ people, for LGBT+ people, and the needs of the LGBT+ community are at the centre of what they do.

Visit About - Galop LGBT+ anti-abuse charity to learn more.

Emergency Contact Details

National Helpline for LGBT+ Victims and Survivors of Abuse and Violence 0800 999 5428

Email help@galop.org.uk

Mermaids has been supporting transgender, nonbinary and gender-diverse children, young people, and their families since 1995.

Mermaids has evolved into one of the UK’s leading LGBTQ+ charities, empowering thousands of people with its secure online communities, local community groups, helpline services, web resources, events and residential weekends.

Talk to Mermaids on 0808 801 0400

Helpline open Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm

Calls to Mermaids are confidential and any details recorded will not be shared with a third party. 

To learn more please visit Mermaids (mermaidsuk.org.uk)

LGBTQI+ mental health: support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex young people.

Research has shown that lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTQI+) young people are over two-and-a-half times more likely to have a mental health problem than those who identify as heterosexual. Being LGBTQI+ does not mean that a young person will have a mental health problem - the majority of LGBTQI+ young people do not, and many feel they can cope with the ups and downs of everyday life. However, identifying as part of the LGBTQI+ community can lead to unique challenges in growing up and as an adult including fears about coming out, worries about being accepted by friends and family, and the impact of prejudice and discrimination. 

Please download the LGBTQI+ mental health leaflet for more information or visit LGBTQI+ mental health (annafreud.org)

A Positive Place for LGBTQIA+ Punjabis and South Asians

The Open Minds Project are a positive and progressive hub for LGBTQ+ people with Punjabi or South Asian heritage.

They welcome people from all faith or no faith backgrounds.

Speaking to desi parents about their LGBTQIA+ children

In this series of interviews, we talk to a different desi parent each month and find out about their journey to becoming acceptive and supportive parents to their LGBTQIA+ children.

Being LGBTQ+ and Punjabi

To view The Open Minds Project Events please click Upcoming Events — The Open Minds Project or to find out more visit The Open Minds Project

ELOP currently provide the following services for children and young people:

Youth Out East ~ Youth Groups for LGBTQ+ young people aged 12-18. elop’s youth groups provide a safe, inclusive, and affirmative space to make friends, enjoy activities and share experiences with other LGBTQ+ young people. They run every Tuesday evening on Microsoft Teams at the following times:

• 12-15s 5-6.30pm
• 15-18s 7-8.30pm

ELOP LGBTQ+ 18-25s Group likewise provides a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQ+ young people aged 18-25 to meet other members of the community, share experiences, take part in fun activities, and talk all things LGBTQ+. They run every 2^ND and 4^TH Monday of the month on Microsoft Teams, from 7-8.30PM.

Youth Out East ~ Mentoring service provides individual sessions to support LGBTQ+ young people aged 12-24 with issues and concerns relevant to their lived experiences. This could include a space and opportunity to:

• explore their LGBTQ+ identities
• develop strategies to build and sustain confidence and self-acceptance
• develop coping mechanisms for future coming out, or dealing with anti-LGBTQ+ hate
• gain increased knowledge and information on sexual orientation and gender identities and/ or LGBTQ+ rights.

ELOP LGBTQ+ youth mentoring is not therapy or a clinical intervention and should not be used as an alternative should either be needed. Their mentoring service is free and can be held via phone or online via Microsoft Teams until they fully return to a physical face-to-face service. Sessions are usually weekly for up to 6 months and last for up to one hour per session.

A young person can refer themselves to ELOP youth services or groups, or you can refer on their behalf. To make a referral email youth@elop.org or call 07908 553744.

ELOP are also available for school bookings at competitive prices if you would like elop to deliver LGBTQ+ focused training for staff or workshops and assemblies for students. Simply email youth@elop.org with your request.