Help MindOut Continue Providing Vital Mental Health Services to LGBTQ Communties by Voting For Them This June

Posted on 26 May 2020 by Amy Jackson
Based in Brighton and Hove, MindOut is a unique community mental health service run by and for lesbians, gay men, bisexual, trans and queer people with mental health issues. Their aim is to create a world where LGBTQ mental health is a priority, respected, recognised and free from stigma, allowing LGBTQ people to access the support they need.

Often, LGBTQ people don’t get the support they need from mainstream mental health services, and can be isolated from LGBTQ communities. In addition, they may also face discrimination and exclusion. MindOut exists to improve the mental health and wellbeing of these communities, running a range of services that includes counselling, peer support groups, advocacy, and online support.

MindOut Logo

MindOut’s Services


All of the services that MindOut provides are confidential, impartial and independent, provided by a team of staff and volunteers who are all LGBTQ and have lived experience of mental health challenges. MindOut welcomes those who identify in the LGBTQ spectrum and those who are questioning their sexual and gender identity.

Advice & Information: MindOut receives hundreds of requests for information every year. They are able to provide advice on a number of different areas in addition to mental health, including GP services, welfare, housing, immigration and relationship issues.

Advocacy: MindOut advocates are there to provide support to individuals in a range of different areas, including mental health and housing, as well as advocacy for trans and young people. Advocates are able to encourage individuals to think about their mental health and wellbeing, as well as ensure that their voices are heard and that they have access to relevant services and information.

Peer Support Groups: Run by experienced LGBTQ mental health workers, MindOut’s peer support groups are there to allow individuals to meet other people with shared identities and experiences. Providing a safe space to share feelings and experiences, they can help to reduce loneliness and isolation, and individuals are also able to share and learn coping strategies.

Peer Mentoring: MindOut also offers a peer mentoring project, where individuals with lived experience of mental health are paired with a trained volunteer. Using a person centred approach, service users are able to choose the type of support they need before being paired with a volunteer.

Suicide Prevention: The charity is committed to providing suicide prevention strategies and services. These include online support, peer mentoring, advocacy, suicide awareness training and resources for those feeling suicidal, or who know someone that is.

50+ Project: Designed to respond to the needs of LGBTQ people aged 50+, this service aims to reduce the isolation they may experience and to provide integrated activities for older and younger people to support each other.

Online Support: MindOut offers an instant messaging support service that’s free, confidential and anonymous. It’s run by trained mental health workers and advocates who can provide information and emotional support.

Counselling: The charity also offers a counselling service based at their office in Brighton. All of the counsellors at MindOut identify as LGBTQ and are there to provide support to individuals on whatever issues may be troubling them.

Training: MindOut wants to ensure that professionals and organisations are confident in supporting the mental health needs of LGBTQ people, which is why they offer training sessions for organisations. These sessions can help participants gain greater understanding of the issues faced by LGBTQ people, and the best practices for making services more inclusive.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all of MindOut’s services are now available online.

 

How You Can Support MindOut


Donations to MindOut allow the charity to continue providing their vital mental health support to those in LGBTQ communities. This June, MindOut are one of our three charities taking part in our monthly poll. Cast your vote for them and you’ll be helping the charity to reduce suicidal distress, social isolation and to improve the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTQ communities. Find out more about the charity and the work they do, as well as how to donate, by visiting their website.

 

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