LGBTQIA+

At Bristol Mind, we recognise that LGBTQIA+ people can be at a higher risk of experiencing a mental health problem than the wider population.

The reasons for this are complex and not always fully understood. However, mental health problems experienced by LGBTQIA+ people have been linked to discrimination, bullying, homophobia, biphobia and transphobia.

You may also experience rejection, negative reactions or hostility from family members, friends, strangers, employers or members of the religious community. This can have a big impact on your self-esteem, feelings about your sexuality and or gender identity. It may make you feel unable to be open about yourself at work, home or in the world at large.

Bristol Mind wants to provide for adults (over 18 years of age) an honest non-judgemental space and the opportunity to talk about any aspect of themselves and their life experiences. Counselling can help individuals to explore current or past feelings and experiences, relationships with others, and their general mental and emotional wellbeing. Our counselling service and helplines enable clients to talk to people who may understand, perhaps just a little bit more, because they too have lived experience of being LGBTQIA+

All of the counsellors, therapists, and volunteers working within the services below have lived LGBTQIA+ experience.

MindLine Trans+ 0300 330 5468

A free, confidential emotional and mental health support helpline for people who identity as Trans, Agender, Gender Fluid, Non-binary and their family members. Now operated by Mind in Somerset.

Meeting Minds LGBTQIA+ Counselling

Contact us to ask about availability
One-on-one therapy delivered by counsellors with lived experience of being LGBTQIA+, offered to adults 18+ at an affordable rate dependent on disposable household income.

 

Further support

Bristol Hate Crime and Discrimination Service

for individuals experiencing hate crime and discrimination on the basis of race, gender, sexual identity, age, mental health and physical disability. We are partnered with SARI, Brandon Trust, OTR LGBTQIA+, Bristol Law Centre and Bristol Mediation in delivering this service. Not all workers in this service have LGBTQIA+ lived experience but they have received equality and diversity training.