Below you will find information and support services regarding mental health and sexual health for LGBTQIA+ people living in London:

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MENTAL HEALTH

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LONDON FRIEND

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London Friend is a London based organisation that provides mental health support for LGBTQIA+ individuals. Help they offer includes:

• Support during lockdown 

• Counselling 

• Services for domestic abuse survivors

• Drug and alcohol abuse support

• Sexual health information

• Support for LGBT asylum seekers and refugees

 

Contact: 020 78331674

Email: office@londonfriend.org.uk

Website: https://londonfriend.org.uk 

Office location: N19 DN 86 Caledonian Road.

 

The main page includes a calendar with LGBTQIA+ events, such as: 

• English classes for folk who want to better their English

• Creative writing

• LBT women’s social

• Housing advice drop-in hours

• Coming out groups for gay and bisexual men

• Social support for lesbian and bisexual women

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SWITCHBOARD

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Switchboard is a confidential and trusted LGBTQIA+ helpline: https://switchboard.lgbt/

 

Call: 0300 330 0630

Open 10:00-22:00 every day

Email: chris@switchboard.lgbt (emails are typically replied to within 72 hours)

 

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PINK THERAPY

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Pink Therapy comprises 19 Clinical Associates who have a gender, or sexual minority lived experience. It lists qualified therapists who work with the LGBTQIA+ community from a sexually affirmative stance throughout the UK. Please note that the therapists offer paid therapy. Each therapist sets their fees.

 

Their database lists several Polish-speaking therapists, some based in the UK and some living elsewhere, who run an online private practice.

 

Contact:  020 7434 0367

Email: admin@pinktherapy.co.uk

Website:  http://www.pinktherapy.com 

 

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METRO CHARITY

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Metro charity has offices in Woolwich, New Cross, Greenwich and Essex. They provide health and wellbeing services for the LGBTQIA+ community in England. Their services include but are not limited to:

 

• Emotional support for people living with HIV 

• HIV counselling and mentoring 

• Therapeutic support for families affected by HIV

• Mental health support for LGBTQIA+ and BAME people 

• Support for LGBTQIA+ hate crime survivors 

• Free one-to-one therapy for LGBTQIA+ youth in London 

 

Contact (mental health team): 020 8305 5009.

Email: counselling@metrocharity.org.uk 

Website: https://metrocharity.org.uk 

 

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STONEWALL SEARCH ENGINE

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If you want to further research organisations that offer mental health support to the LGBTQIA+ community in your area, you can use the Stonewall search engine: https://www.stonewall.org.uk/help-advice/whats-my-area 

 

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SAMARITANS

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If you need someone to talk to, Samaritans offer help regardless of your sexuality, gender, age, ethnicity and economic status. You can call them for free at any time of the day and night on 116 123 or send them an email* at jo@samaritans.org

 

*Please note that the response time is 24 hours.

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SEXUAL HEALTH: FOR ADULTS​

 

 

IS TESTING FOR STIs IMPORTANT?
 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be asymptomatic yet lead to serious health problems. This makes screening very important. Test yourself after every new partner, especially if you have not used protection. If you have a long-term partner, test yourself every year. 

 

Results: waiting two weeks after you had unprotected sex will give you more accurate STI results. However, for more accurate HIV testing, you may need to wait six weeks.

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SEXUAL HEALTH SERVICES
 

In the UK (including all areas of London), all sexual health services are free and available to everyone regardless of their sexuality, gender, age and ethnic origin. They are also confidential, including anyone between the ages of 13 and 16. 

  

Sexual health services in London are offered by: 

• Sexual health clinics

• GPs

• Selected pharmacies 

• Young people’s services

 

Services offered include:

• Advice on safe sex

• STI testing, including HIV testing and support

• Information on contraception 

 

You can order a self-testing kit online to arrive at your home here: www.shl.uk   

 

The National Sexual Health helpline offers confidential advice on all issues related to sexual health: 

 

Call: 0300 123 7123

Monday to Friday, 9 am - 8 pm

 

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HIV PREVENTION 

Note: for HIV testing, you need to wait a minimum of six weeks from when you had unprotected sex to get accurate results.

 

The London HIV Prevention Programme (LHPP) is a London-wide sexual health promotion initiative. It aims to increase HIV testing and promote prevention choices. 

 

There are four ways to prevent HIV:

1. HIV Testing 

2. Condoms

3. PrEP

4. Medication for people who were diagnosed to make the viral load in their blood undetectable, meaning they cannot pass the virus on to others

 

PrEP: medicine used as a prevention method by HIV-negative people and at high risk for being exposed to HIV through sexual contact or injection drug use.

 

PEP: medicine used as an emergency measure after the event if the person was at a risk of HIV transmission.

 

HIV testing and all HIV treatment are free and confidential for residents in London. You can order a self-testing kit online or visit a clinic.

 

Locate your nearest sexual health and support service: www.nhs.uk/service-search/other-services/Sexual-health-information-and-support/LocationSearch/734

 

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CONTRACEPTION & TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY
 

Terminations are provided in NHS hospitals and licensed clinics and are usually free of charge on the NHS. 

 

Emergency contraception comes in two forms:

 

1. IUD (intrauterine device): a form of birth control fitted into the uterus to prevent pregnancy.

2. Emergency contraceptive pills such as Levonelle or ellaOne. Levonelle has to be taken within 72 hours after sex and ellaOne within 120 hours to be effective.

 

If you need emergency contraception, call your GP, the nearest sexual health clinic or a pharmacy.

 

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SEXUAL VIOLENCE & DOMESTIC ABUSE

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If you are LGBTQIA+ and experienced sexual violence, the London-based charity Galop will provide you with free, confidential and independent help. More information can be found here: www.galop.org.uk/sexualviolence

 

If you are experiencing domestic abuse, please contact the National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline:          

        

Call: 0800 999 5428

Email: help@galop.org.uk

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SEXUAL HEALTH: FOR UNDER 25 YEAR-OLDS

 

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DOES SEXUAL HEALTH MATTER?

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Young people are at increased risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Risk can be significantly reduced by having protected sex and getting regularly tested. Free condoms, safe sex information and STI testing are provided for young people across London.

 

To find a sexual health service available in your area, click on “Sex & Relationships” on the NHS website: https://nhsgo.uk

 

The website also offers extensive information about safe sex, STIs,  relationships and contraception.

 

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SELF-TESTING KITS

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Self-testing kits can be ordered online for free in most areas of London. You can order it whether you have mild symptoms or no symptoms but still want to get yourself checked.

 

Order a self-testing kit to your home from Sexual Health London: https://www.shl.uk 

 

They offer free regular and emergency contraception services available for people over the age of 16 who live in Lambeth, Southwark, Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham, Westminster, Ealing, Harrow, Hackney, City of London and Brent.

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SEXUAL HEALTH SERVICES

 

The Camden & Islington Young People’s Sexual Health Network provides free and confidential sexual health services for young people under 25 who live in the Borough of Islington. The network includes Brook (Euston), Brandon Centre (Kentish Town) and Pulse (Highbury & Islington).

 

Call the clinics for an appointment. All phone numbers available here:

https://www.camish.co.uk/where-we-are

 

Services offered:

• Pregnancy testing, advice & referral

• Emergency pill & Contraception (including long-acting reversible contraception, such as coils*)

• Check-ups and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Trichomonas Vaginalis, Syphilis, HIV, Hepatitis)** 

• Sex and relationship information & support

• Signposting to other services

• Free condoms & C-Card

• Counselling, mental health & well-being support

 

*Certain types of contraception are only offered on certain days or at specific clinics. Please call the clinic before you come.

**Trichomonas and Hepatitis testing are only available at the Pulse clinics.

 

For those seeking help in Polish, contact the Brandon Centre and ask to speak to Robert Kocur.

 

Call: 020 7387 8700

Email: RobertKocur@brandoncentre.org.uk

 

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COME CORRECT (C-CARD SCHEME)

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Come Correct (C-Card) scheme provides access to free condoms in locations (called Outlets) across London. Registering for a C-Card is free for anyone under 25 and can be done at clinics, youth centres or pharmacies that display the Come Correct logo.

 

Find out more: www.comecorrect.org.uk

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SEXUAL VIOLENCE SUPPORT

 

Galop: If you are 13 years or older, identify as LGBTQIA+, and are survivors of sexual violence, please contact this charity for support and advice.

Email: referrals@galop.co.uk

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