With the gradual relaxation of lockdown we wanted to update you about how MindOut will continue to help you in the coming months. We know that it continues to be a difficult time of uncertainty and restrictions and many people within LGBTQ communities are unable to access critical support and NHS services to support their mental health. MindOut can help.
We are delighted to say that we will be answering our main phone number during normal office hours as from Wednesday 16th June so if you need help and want to talk to us then please call 01273 234839. Here’s a reminder of the different ways we can support you:
Did you know that we have been running all our regular peer support groups via zoom since March 2020 with 25 people attending every week? And we will continue to do so until it is safe to meet face to face again. Our weekly peer support groups will give you a space to share experiences, thoughts, and distress with others who are going through similar experiences. You will feel understood and less alone with difficulties and will develop new coping strategies and self-care tips from peers. Our newest group is about lockdown and the impact of Covid-19 on our mental health plus we are also running our weekly Thursday workshops via zoom https://mindout.org.uk/get-support/peer-support-groups/
Our advocacy team is here and ready to help with any crisis issues such as housing, welfare rights and benefits, access to mental health support or other NHS services – we will help you navigate the agencies and services you need to communicate with to be heard and to get your needs met. Please remember you are not alone call us or email [email protected] to speak to an advocate.
In the next few weeks we will be resuming some face to face peer mentoring sessions, outdoors and observing safe social distancing rules. One of the most exciting new services we are currently launching as a result of the pandemic is our telephone befriending service. We know that many people have struggled with isolation and loneliness since lockdown and that some of you don’t have access to video meeting technology or don’t feel comfortable using it. So we will be providing emotional support and befriending over the phone.
Our counselling service is offering a limited amount of online counselling, please get in touch for more information.
Our online support service is open every day and you can chat to our trained volunteers anonymously – we have been running additional themed sessions focusing on the impact of lockdown and the needs of people of colour. Please check out the pink bubble on our home page for opening times www.mindout.org.uk.
Please get in touch.