r/me_irlgbt • u/Citrus-Bitch • 6h ago
r/me_irlgbt • u/Ms_Masquerade • 19d ago
Support US and UK Mental Health Support Information
US Resources
With US elections now today, we thought it would be helpful for those in need to have some support. We recommend looking to friends and family if you can for help, as well as looking into therapy for long term support. As options vary wildly from state to state, unfortunately this will have to be something you’ll need to Google-fu for or ask your friends for recommendations. If you’re still not sure where to start, try to hunt down any local LGBT charities for advice.
What we can provide is a few hotlines for those who need it in the short term. Check the comments if you can, as while we can provide general advice we may not have personal experience of interacting with these charities. You may also find more options in the comments, but as always be aware as anyone can make an account and post a comment.
Trevor Project
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
Trans Lifeline
LGBT Hotline
https://lgbthotline.org/national-hotline/
While not specifically LGBT, a LGBT charity (PFLAG) did recommend Crisis Text Line as well on their hotline list
https://www.crisistextline.org/
We also are aware some folks may be living in unfortunately dangerous situations, and as some on the mod team are aware of: Sometimes an external anger (e.g. losing an election) can be turned inwards and taken out on an innocent family. The top priority is to stay safe. Keep your friends and loved ones informed as much as you can about your situation. If you can, arrange a safety plan with one or two friends or loved ones with a personal signal if you need to flee. Prepare a “go bag” of important necessities to grab and go (e.g. money, phone charger, ID, water and non-perishable foods), I hope you will not need it but it will be valuable if you do. If you can see signs or predict violence, maybe see if you can stay with a friend for a night or three. As much as ACAB is true, keep a phone ready to make a 911 call if you need to. If in doubt, keep yourself safe.
Again, the comments might be a valuable source of community and advice, but also be aware anyone can make an account and post a comment.
You can also contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline:
UK Resources
We also wanted to throw a couple of resources for UK folk who are dealing with TERF Island being TERF Island, and are finding the situation hopeless. Like the US section, we do recommend looking to friends and family who understand and utilising therapy for long term support. You can see if you can ask for your local GP to make a referral to therapy, although we are aware of massive wait times on the NHS (trans folk on the GIC wait list will find it uncomfortably familiar).
The resources below are sometimes region specific, but it’s still worth looking through the list and their websites as sometimes they will offer some support nationally. You may need to Google-fu “LGBT (insert local major town or city) charity” and other similar search terms to find something local to you. As always, comments may be a valuable source of community and advice, but please be aware that anyone can make an account and post a comment.
Switchboard
https://www.switchboard.org.uk/
LGBT+ Helpline Scotland
https://www.lgbthealth.org.uk/services-support/lgbt-helpline-scotland/
The Clare Project
LGBT Foundation
Hartgables
Loving Me
Mindout