Urgent support first
If someone is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E. In England, call NHS 111 and select the mental-health option for urgent help.
Emotional wellbeing
Discrimination
Homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, bullying and harassment can affect confidence and safety.
Family rejection
Loss of family support may affect housing, finances, education and mental health.
Isolation
Rural isolation, lack of community or fear of being open can increase loneliness.
Identity pressure
Pressure to explain, hide or defend identity can become exhausting.
Healthcare delays
Waiting for appropriate support can increase distress and uncertainty.
Trauma
Hate crime, abuse, rejection and unsafe environments may contribute to trauma symptoms.
Identity support
Identity may include
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity
- Gender expression
- Romantic attraction
- Culture and faith
- Disability and neurodiversity
Identity-related stress may include
- Fear of coming out
- Confusion or uncertainty
- Feeling “not LGBTQ+ enough”
- Fear of rejection
- Gender dysphoria
- Shame caused by stigma
There is no correct timeline for understanding or describing identity.
Coming out and questioning identity
Coming out
Coming out may feel positive, liberating, stressful or unsafe. Nobody should feel pressured to disclose their identity before they are ready.
Questioning identity
Exploring sexuality, gender identity, expression or romantic attraction is a normal part of self-discovery.
Staying safe
Consider housing, family relationships, finances, school, work and personal safety before sharing information where there may be a risk of rejection or abuse.
Gender dysphoria, trans and non-binary wellbeing
Gender dysphoria
Some people experience distress when gender identity differs from sex assigned at birth.
Misgendering
Repeated disrespect or incorrect language may affect confidence and wellbeing.
Healthcare access
Waiting, uncertainty and difficulty finding respectful care may cause distress.
Supportive environments
Safe relationships, inclusive workplaces and respectful healthcare can protect wellbeing.
Peer support
Community organisations can reduce isolation and help people share experiences.
Mental-health support
Support should be affirming, respectful and responsive to individual needs.
Family rejection and homelessness risk
Family rejection may involve
- Shaming or criticism
- Pressure to hide identity
- Threats or emotional abuse
- Loss of money or housing
- Pressure to change identity
- Community exclusion
Where to seek help
- Trusted adult or professional
- LGBTQ+ helpline
- School, college or university
- Local council housing team
- Domestic-abuse service
- Specialist youth housing service
Different LGBTQ+ experiences
Young adults
Coming out, bullying, family conflict, education pressure and housing concerns.
Older adults
Historical discrimination, bereavement, loneliness and care-service concerns.
Disabled people
Accessibility barriers, healthcare difficulties and social exclusion may overlap.
Neurodivergent people
Support should be both neurodiversity-informed and LGBTQ+ inclusive.
People of colour
Racism and LGBTQ+ discrimination may combine and affect belonging and safety.
Faith and culture
Faith may be a source of strength, but some people also experience identity conflict or community pressure.
Hate crime, domestic abuse and sexual violence
Hate crime
Verbal abuse, threats, violence, harassment and online abuse can be reported and supported.
True Vision reporting →Domestic abuse
Abuse can affect anyone regardless of sexuality, gender identity or relationship type.
Galop support →Conversion practices
Support is available
Conversion practices seek to suppress, change or deny someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. People affected may benefit from specialist emotional, legal or safeguarding support.
Relationships and sexual health
Healthy relationships
- Respect
- Consent
- Trust
- Safety
- Honest communication
- Freedom from control
Sexual-health support
- HIV prevention and treatment
- STI testing
- Contraception
- Sexual-health advice
- Relationship support
- Confidential NHS services
Alcohol, drugs, self-harm and suicide prevention
Alcohol and drugs
Some people use substances to cope with stress, trauma, rejection or isolation.
NHS addiction support →Self-harm
Self-harm may occur alongside anxiety, depression, trauma and identity-related stress.
NHS self-harm information →Suicide prevention
Seek urgent help if someone is unable to stay safe or is at immediate risk.
NHS urgent help →Workplace, education and student support
Workplace rights
Sexual orientation and gender reassignment are protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.
School and college
Pastoral, safeguarding and counselling services may provide support.
University
LGBTQ+ societies, student unions, counselling and disability services may help.
Community, loneliness and safe spaces
Community can provide
- Friendship
- Belonging
- Advice
- Advocacy
- Emotional support
- Shared experience
Safe spaces may include
- LGBTQ+ centres
- Community groups
- Online moderated groups
- Student societies
- Faith-inclusive spaces
- Peer-support networks
UK LGBTQ+ organisations
Find LGBTQ+ help across the UK
England
Use NHS services, Switchboard, LGBT Foundation, MindOut, Galop, akt and local LGBTQ+ centres.
NHS LGBTQ+ supportScotland
LGBT Health and Wellbeing provides mental-health, community and support services in Scotland.
LGBT Health and WellbeingWales
Use NHS 111 Wales, local health boards, Stonewall Cymru and LGBTQ+ community organisations.
NHS 111 WalesNorthern Ireland
Cara-Friend supports LGBTQIA+ people and families across Northern Ireland.
Cara-FriendRights, discrimination and safety
Protected characteristics
Sexual orientation and gender reassignment are protected under the Equality Act 2010.
GOV.UK rights →Further support topics
Bisexual wellbeing
Biphobia, invisibility and pressure to justify identity may affect mental health.
Asexual and aromantic wellbeing
People may experience misunderstanding, isolation or pressure around relationships.
Intersex support
Respectful healthcare, privacy, identity and informed decision-making are important.
LGBTQ+ parenting
Support may be needed around family planning, adoption, fostering and discrimination.
Rural isolation
Online services and national helplines may be especially important where local groups are limited.
Refugees and asylum seekers
Specialist legal, housing and trauma-informed support may be needed.
General crisis and mental-health support
PAPYRUS HOPELINE247
Support for people under 35 and those worried about them.
Visit PAPYRUS →0800 068 4141
Emergency and urgent support
If someone is at immediate risk, call 999 or attend A&E. For urgent mental-health support in England, call NHS 111 and select the mental-health option.
Immediate danger
Call 999 or go to A&E.
Urgent mental-health help
Call NHS 111 and select the mental-health option.
Speak to someone
Call Samaritans on 116 123, Switchboard on 0800 0119 100 or text SHOUT to 85258.
Frequently asked questions
Is being LGBTQ+ a mental-health problem?
No. Sexual orientation and gender identity are not mental illnesses. Discrimination, rejection, bullying and unsafe environments can affect mental health.
Do I have to come out?
No. Coming out is a personal choice. Safety, housing, finances and emotional readiness should be considered.
Where can I find an LGBTQ+ friendly therapist?
NHS services, Switchboard, MindOut, LGBT Foundation and specialist therapist directories may help.
Can I report hate crime online?
Yes. True Vision provides online hate-crime reporting, and Galop offers specialist support.
What if my family makes me homeless?
Contact your local council housing team, Shelter and akt if you are aged 16–25.
Can workplaces discriminate against LGBTQ+ people?
Sexual orientation and gender reassignment are protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. ACAS and EASS can provide guidance.
Key message
LGBTQ+ mental health matters. Being LGBTQ+ is not a mental-health problem, but discrimination, bullying, rejection, isolation, trauma and lack of understanding can seriously affect wellbeing.
Everyone deserves dignity, safety, respect, community and support.
Whether someone is exploring identity, coming out, facing rejection, struggling with mental health or looking for safe community spaces, help is available.