LGBT Mental Health | Dublin Lesbian Line

Your mental Health...

Unfortunately LGBT people are particularly vulnerable to mental health problems, notably, low mood and anxiety. For this reason it is important to keep your mental health in check by learning the warning signs and triggers that may influence your behaviour, thoughts and feelings. Here are some suggestions to protect your mental health:

Don't keep your thoughts and feelings bottled up - This can only lead to stress, anxiety and low mood and will not benefit you in the long-term.
Talk to someone - Just verbalising a problem can greatly help release feelings of anxiety and stress. Many of our callers just need somebody to listen and nothing else.
Have a 'go-to buddy' - This can be someone in your close circle or a trained professional. It doesn't matter what your relationship is, once you know you can open up to this person when you need to.
Know your triggers - There are certain things, situations or people (etc) in life that may trigger a period of mental health instability. Try to become familiar with these, particularly the warning signs when you are feeling 'woobly'.
Seek professional help - Many people today in Ireland seek professional help when they are struggling with something in their life. Seeking help early on may prevent a serious, or long-term period of mental health instability. If you would like to find a Counsellor, Psychotherapist or Therapist please visit the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) at www.iacp.ie. To find a Psychologist please visit the Psychological Society of Ireland at www.psihq.ie. Alternatively please find a list of accredited support specialists with LGBT experience here.
Educate yourself - Psycho-education is a powerful tool in understanding mental health and how we function as individuals. There is a vast amount of resources (books, websites, videos, workshops, classes) out there to help you improve and maintain your mental health. Please find a list of resources below!

Online Resources

Turn to me
https://www.turn2me.org/

Mental Health Ireland
http://www.mentalhealthireland.ie/

Your Mental Health
http://www.yourmentalhealth.ie/

Centre for Clinical Interventions
http://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/resources/consumers.cfm

Get Self Help UK
http://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/

Mood Gym
https://moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome

Mood Panda
http://moodpanda.com/MoodJournal.aspx

Mind Quire
https://www.mindquire.com/index.php

Mood Scope
https://www.moodscope.com/

Healthy Place Journal
http://www.healthyplace.com/mood-journal/

Books

Audio

Free Mindfulness
http://www.freemindfulness.org/download

Darmouth Relaxation Downloads
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~healthed/relax/downloads.html

Hobert and Williams Muscle Relaxation
http://www.hws.edu/studentlife/media

UCLA Mindfulness & Meditation
http://marc.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=22

Mindfulness for Beginners
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mindfulness-Beginners

Guided Mindfulness Meditation
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Guided-Mindfulness-Meditation

Relaxation Techniques for a Healthy Life: Ultimate Guide to Reduce Stress and Anxietyhttp://www.amazon.co.uk/Relaxation-Techniques-Healthy-Life

Body and Soul - Relaxation: Resting the Mind Reviving the Body
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Body-Soul-Relaxation

Relax: Guided Meditations to Ease Stress & Anxiety
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Relax-Guided-Meditations

Sleep Sleep Sleep Now: Adult: Essential Guide to Deep Relaxing Sleep
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sleep-Now-Adult

Deep Sleep - Hypnosis to Relieve Insomnia
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Deep-Sleep-Hypnosis

Your mental Health...

Online Resources

Books

Audio

Useful Links