LGBTQ+ mental health support & helplines

LGBTQ+ people are more likely than average to live with anxiety, depression and loneliness, not because of who they are but because of what they often have to deal with: rejection, discrimination and the strain of hiding. In Blackpool there is support that understands that, much of it run by and for LGBTQ+ people. This page sets out where to go, starting with urgent help.

If you need help right now

• In danger or have harmed yourself: call 999 or go to the emergency department at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.
• Lancashire mental health crisis line: 0800 953 0110, free and open 24 hours a day, every day.
• Samaritans: 116 123, free, any time. Blackpool has its own Samaritans branch on Edward Street in the town centre, part of the national service.
• Text support: text SHOUT to 85258, any time.

None of the LGBTQ+ services below are crisis services, so use these numbers first if you're at risk.

LGBTQ+ counselling (free, by phone or video)

The county's LGBTQ+ charity runs a counselling service for LGBTQ+ adults (18+) living in Lancashire, which includes Blackpool. Sessions are by phone or video, so you can take part from home.

The counsellors are volunteers who are themselves LGBTQ+. They are either counselling students on placement or qualified graduates, and all are DBS-checked members of a professional body. You can talk about depression and anxiety, isolation, identity, coming out, self-esteem and confidence, sex and relationships, or anything else on your mind.

To get started, fill in the self-referral form on the charity's website, or ask someone such as your GP to refer you. When the waiting list is full the service closes to new referrals for a while; if you can't select it on the form, that's why. Email hello@lancslgbt.org.uk if you're unsure.

One-to-one wellbeing support

The same charity offers eight sessions of one-to-one support with a qualified support worker who has lived experience of being LGBTQ+. Together you'll identify your strengths, set goals and make an action plan, with regular check-ins on how you're doing and wellbeing coaching between sessions. It is delivered remotely and open to LGBTQ+ adults in Lancashire. Refer yourself or ask a professional to refer you.

Counselling in the Rainbow Quarter

The LGBTQ+ health charity on Dickson Road includes counselling among its services, together with one-to-one and online support on sexuality and gender identity. People living with HIV can choose person-centred therapy, CBT or pluralistic therapy through the charity's HIV service. Call 01253 311431.

For young people

• An NHS counselling service for 11 to 25-year-olds across Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre is based at 26 Talbot Road and lists sexuality among the issues it helps with. It has a Wednesday afternoon drop-in (3pm to 5pm). Call 0800 121 7762.
• Blackpool's LGBT youth groups are a lifeline for many young people. See our young people page.

Groups that help you feel less alone

Feeling connected is good for mental health. In and around Blackpool you can:

• Join the fortnightly Tuesday social for LGBT+ people and allies at the Dickson Road centre.
• Try the monthly LGBTQ+ swim at Moor Park Leisure Centre in Bispham, with a coach on hand.
• Sing with Blackpool's LGBTQ+ community choir, which rehearses on Tuesday evenings.
• Join a monthly online peer group: one for gay, bi, trans and queer men (including masc non-binary people), and one for women and femme non-binary people. Register through the county charity's website.
• Go to a daytime friendship group in Lytham, which meets on the first Wednesday morning of the month.

Our sport and social groups page has the details.

Learn more: the Mental Health Hour

The county charity has made a free series of online talks called the Mental Health Hour, each with a guest speaker. Topics include identity, shame and self-acceptance; trans mental health; queer Black mental health; LGBTQ+ identity and disability; a queer Muslim perspective on mind, body and spirit; and using art to explore trans mental health. You can watch them online at any time.

Talking to your GP

Your GP can refer you to NHS talking therapies or prescribe treatment. Several Blackpool GP surgeries hold the county's LGBT inclusion Quality Mark, which means they have worked on making their practice welcoming for LGBTQ+ patients. They include Adelaide Street Family Practice, St Paul's Medical Centre on Dickson Road, South King Street Medical Centre and Glenroyd Medical Practice.

National signposts

If you'd like to talk to someone LGBTQ+ outside Blackpool, Switchboard (0800 0119 100) and the LGBT Foundation helpline (0345 3 30 30 30) both offer listening support. MindOut runs an online chat for LGBTQ+ people anywhere in the UK on some weekday afternoons.

Services, waiting lists and opening times can change, so check before you go.