It is more common within the LGBT community for individuals to have mental health issues. The reasons for this may include hostility or rejection about your identity, bullying at school, rejection from religion, fear of violence and harassment in public, casual homophobic comments and negative portrayal of LGBT people in the media. The effect of this may lower self-esteem, cause difficulty accepting your identity and make you try to keep it a secret, increase the risk of self-harm and suicide attempts, damage relationships, as well as more commonly depression and anxiety.

If you are having any problems and would like to talk to someone, you can contact a counsellor. This can be done either via your GP or you can contact any of the following groups:

• Glasgow University counselling service
• Glasgow University (listings)
• Strathclyde Lesbian & Gay switchboard
• Sandyford
• Terrence Higgins Trust
• Transgender Zone: Panic!