Support for LGBTQ+ communities

Finding support for you

Here are some sources of support and some useful ways to get support if you are finding it hard.

• Stonewall has a section on their website for LGBTQ+ people’s wellbeing offering support, advice, and where to access specialist care. This includes helplines, peer support, digital and online support.
• Both the LGBT Foundation and Switchboard’s helplines are open for those who are feeling alone, isolated or concerned. Both helplines have trained volunteers who will listen and try and understand the multitude of feelings and concerns that may be going on for you. You can confidentially talk to trained volunteers about how you’re feeling:
  • Call LGBT Foundation’s helpline on 0345 3 30 30 30 (9am until 9pm weekdays, 10am until 6pm weekends) or email helpline@lgbt.foundation.
  • Call Switchboard’s helpline on 0300 330 0630 (10am-10pm daily) or email chris@switchboard.lgbt.
• The health and well-being website MENRUS for gay men, and the wider LGBTQ+ community, includes Mental Health support, Finding a Counsellor or Therapist, Get Out and Active activity listings and Safer packs.
• Mindline Trans+ is an emotional and mental health support helpline for anyone identifying as transgender, non-binary, or genderfluid, providing a safe place to talk about your feelings confidentially. Contact Mindline Trans+’s helpline on 0300 330 5468 on Mondays and Fridays between 8pm and midnight.
• AKT (The Albert Kennedy Trust) supports young LGBTQ+ people aged 16-25 in the UK who are experiencing homelessness or living in a hostile or abusive environment. There is an online advice hub and lots of helpful information related to challenges that young LGBTQ+ young Londoners may be experiencing at this time.
• Opening Doors London is a service which arranges social opportunities and support for LGBT people over 50 with activities, events, support and information.
• Listen to a Good Thinking podcast with Andrew Keates, member of The Speakers Collective describing powerfully the life of someone in the LGBTQ+ community, and how, if we can listen to how life is for the community and how we can develop better services to support LGBTQ+ people.
• If you’re feeling anxious or stressed about financial difficulties, then explore the helpful range of resources and guidance on City Hall’s Help with the cost of living hub.

Other resources to help you

Dealing with difficult emotions can be challenging but help and support is available.

In London, there are a range of free resources, online tools, and helplines available to help you deal with the uncertainty and stay mentally healthy.

Digital resources available now

Good Thinking is a digital mental wellbeing service that has over 100 free, NHS-approved resources designed to help those dealing with anxiety, low mood, poor sleep or stress. Take the clinically validated self-assessment to get a better understand of what you’re going through, helpful resources and if necessary, relevant treatment options.

To help build resilience and maintain good mental wellbeing, Every Mind Matters has a range of resources for everyone at Including an interactive quiz, the Your Mind Plan, to get top tips and advice relevant for you.

NHS psychological treatments

If you do not require urgent support but are still concerned about your mental health, contacting your GP is a good place to start.

You can also refer yourself for free, non-urgent NHS talking therapy services, also known as Improving Access to Psychological Therapies services, which provide evidence-based treatments for depression and anxiety. In London, services are ready and open to receive self-referrals for those needing professional support.

Helplines

Or you may feel more comfortable talking to someone you don’t know by using one of the following helplines:

• If you, or anyone you know, is experiencing a mental health crisis and needs urgent assistance, advice or support, contact your local 24/7 NHS mental health helpline.
• Shout is the UK ‘s first 24/7 text messaging service for anyone in crisis. Text Shout at any time to 85258 to start a conversation.
• Samaritans’ free, 24-hour listening service on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.