Suffolk Mind launches extra support for LGBTQ+ History Month
The charity says non-binary people are one of the worst affected groups for meeting emotional needs during the pandemic
Suffolk's LGBTQ+ community are being offered free courses to support mental wellbeing during LGBTQ+ History Month.
According to figures from Healthy Suffolk in 2018, 88% of people who identified as transgender and non binary have had depression.
Suffolk Mind says people within the community are most likely to be impacted by poor mental health, due to the struggles they face.
Kobe, from the charity, said: "That could be because of bullying, harassment, rejection, stigma, things that are experienced routinely.
"I don't know anyone in the community who hasn't experienced that quite a lot."
The charity has secured funding to offer counselling sessions and free courses called Your Needs Met and Sleep Well, Be Well.
Your Needs Met explores how people can stay mentally well by looking after their emotional needs, while the second course explains the importance of sleep for mental health.
The support is being offered over the telephone and Zoom to ensure it is accessible for everyone who needs it during this time.
Corrina Hanley from Suffolk Mind has coordinated the project, she said: "Anyone can experience a mental health problem, but those who identify as LGBTQ+ are more likely to develop problems like depression and anxiety. Reasons for this could be homophobia, biphobia and transphobia, stigma and discrimination or social isolation and exclusion.
"Suffolk Mind has always offered support to Suffolk’s LGBTQ+ community, but we want to make it more accessible by offering a tailored support service. We want to ensure people have somewhere to go when they are struggling with their mental health."
People can self-refer for the support via the charity's website.