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Explore our article library, to learn more about general LGBTQ+ mental health concerns, how therapy can help you, and other useful advise on how you can live a more happy and fulfilling life
Queer Visibility & Virtual Vulnerability: Pros & Cons of Social Media
For the LGBTQ+ community, online spaces have become an important source of peer connection and social support. Queer people benefit from the resources and visibility that social media provides, but is can also expose them to online hate speech and abuse.
Laws Shape Attitudes: How anti-LGBTQ+ legislation fuels societal hostility
As legislation to protect and grant LGBTQ+ people equal rights had a positive impact on social attitudes, the opposite will inevitably also be true. Recent anti-LGBTQ+ legislation is fuelling societal hostility towards the LGBTQ+ community.
Using empathy evaluation as impact measure for soft-skills & EDI training
In parallel with the product development of Empathy VR at Helsa, our research team is focused on developing the most effective and accurate way of measuring its impact. We are focusing on measuring empathy levels, before and after the intervention.
What companies should do to create supportive environments for LGBTQ+ employees all year around
Many companies show support and celebrate Pride Month in June, but what about the rest of the year? We have put together some advice for what you, as a company, can do to make your workplace a more diverse and inclusive environment all year around.
The Incorporation of Intersectionality into the Minority Stress Model
The third and final article in a three part series in which articles explore the original concepts and uses of the minority stress model in the LGBTQ+ community, its broadening applications for other social minorities, and its future directions.
Minority Stress: Novel Applications Beyond Sexual and Gender Identity
Part two in a three part series in which articles explore the original concepts and uses of the minority stress model in the LGBTQ+ community, its broadening applications for other social minorities, and its future directions.
What is Minority Stress?
Part one in a three part series in which articles explore the original concepts and uses of the minority stress model in the LGBTQ+ community, its broadening applications for other social minorities, and its future directions.
Oscar Wilde: What the LGBTQ+ community can learn from his unrepentant years
If you’re struggling with coming to terms with yourself and your sexuality, here are some lessons you can learn from Oscar Wilde’s unrepentant attitude.
Estrangement in the strangest of times: The impact of family breakdown in the LGBTQ+ community
Family estrangement disproportionatly impact on the LGBTQ+ community, both in terms of complex emotions and practical barriers.
Why increased empathy will revolutionise the lives of minorities in the workplace
Increasing empathy within the corporate sector will boost the wellbeing of minority groups in the workplace, something made possible by revolutionary virtual reality (VR) products such as Helsa's ƎMpathy VR.
The Patriarchy, Gender Binary, Trans People and TERFS: How they all relate
The second article in a two-part series discussing the dismantling of the gender binary and its integration in the patriarchy. This article focuses on the importance of inclusivity of gender non-conformity in modern intersectional feminism.
Breaking down the gender binary will benefit us all
The first article in a two-part series discussing the dismantling of the gender binary and its integration in the patriarchy. This article focuses on the impact of the gender binary on both those who conform to it and those who don’t.
Sex doesn’t make us whole: Why misconceptions about the ace spectrum matter
This article explores how misconceptions surrounding the ace spectrum community have the potential to actively harm the physical and mental wellbeing of its members.
We want to hear from you
We are currently conducting three user engagement surveys and would love to hear from you. Find out more about each survey and how to get involved in this article.
Abandoned at the Crossroads: Intersectionality in LBQ+ women's mental health
An exploration of how the intersectional identities of the LBQ+ community as both sexual minorities and women serves to generate unique challenges for mental wellbeing
How we weigh ourselves
Damian Kerlin discusses the extreme lengths gay/queer men will go to change their bodies - including using steroids and having plastic surgery - just to become "accepted" by others in the LGBTQ+ community.
The Olympics when LGBTQ+ representation turned a corner
More out LGBTQ+ athletes took part in this year’s Olympics in Tokyo than all previous Olympics combined. Role models and representation are fundamental to young LGBTQ+ people. We highlight a few of our favourite queer athletes at this year’s Olympics.
Pride Month is over, but our fight for equal rights continues
Whilst the relentless ‘trans rights debate’ has recently exposed frictions within our community, with Stonewall at the centre, the coming generation will most likely be even more gender diverse and plurisexual than the current one. We should welcome that.
You can't be what you can't see - Transgender Day of Visibility
Recent positive examples of trans visibility matter immensely. We are increasingly seeing ourselves reflected in the society we inhabit and contribute to.
Therapy - My Experiences and the Lessons I Learnt
I’ve been in therapy four different times since 2017. It hasn’t just been about learning to navigate my mental health, but also about learning to navigate therapy in a way which works for me. Here are some reflections on my therapy experiences.
What's Behind the Spiking LGBTQ+ Hate Crime Figures Across the UK?
Mike Findlay investigates what's behind the rising LGBTQ+ hate crime figures in Scotland as well as the rest of the UK, how it's affecting our community and what we can do to build resilience
Coping Through the Pandemic: Drinks, Drugs and Mental Health
COVID-19 is increasing mental health issues and drug and alcohol use in the LGBTQ+ community, but support is available if you need it.
Searching for Intimacy in a World Made Newly Vulnerable
From solosexuals to sexless couples, Helsa’s new study looks at the pandemic’s effect on LGBTQ+ intimacy
Loneliness and isolation in the LGBTQ+ community
Loneliness and isolation often have a negative impact on mental health and are especially prevalent among LGBTQ+ people - here's how you can get support.
The Subtle and Devastating Cost of Minority Pandemic Anxiety
How the pandemic smashed through all my mental walls and left me stranded
LGBTQ+ and worried about your mental health going into a second lockdown?
Feeling anxious, scared, frustrated, uncertain, or a combination of all of these? You are not alone. It’s important to develop strategies to cope with and safeguard your mental wellbeing during this time of uncertainty. Here are some tips.
The need to address the persisting effects of minority stress
To improve mental health in the LGBTQ+ community, we must put the improved social attitudes towards LGBTQ+ people into perspective, and recognise the fragility of our equal rights. We will put focus on minority stress in a series of articles this autumn.
The Social Transition
The social transition refers to aspects of transitioning that involve social, cosmetic and legal changes. A social transition is an entirely valid way for a person to move to an expression of gender identity that matches or resembles their true one.
We’d love to hear from you
We’ve learned a lot during the last few months and have adapted elements of the platform accordingly but we’d love to hear from you as we move forward.
Coming out of lockdown with drinking concerns?
Lockdown has affected all of our usual habits, not least of which, our drinking habits. Here are some useful insights into how our community's experiencing these changes and what you can do if you want to address your own changing drinking habits.
Pride Month and Queer Solidarity: Why intersectionality matters
As LGBTQ+ communities we must find a way to dismantle powerful networks of hate and oppression both within our communities and beyond.
Managing health anxiety in the time of coronavirus
In times of great uncertainty we need to shift our attitudes to battle our anxieties. Taking on this new attitude will take time, practice and more time. Small steps. One at a time.
Microaggressions: Everyday discrimination and your mental health
Microaggressions can seem small and inconsequential; a silly joke, an offhand remark, an intrusive question, a look and so on, but together and over time they can chip away at our sense of worth.
How minority stress is central to LGBTQ+ mental health
A summary of what minority stress is, who is vulnerable to it and what you can do about it
LGBTQ+ and worried about your mental health during coronavirus?
Feeling anxious, scared, frustrated, uncertain, or a combination of all of these? You are not alone. It’s important to develop strategies to cope with and safeguard your mental wellbeing during this time of uncertainty. Here are some tips.
How might I know I need help?
It's not always easy to figure out when it's time to seek out a therapist or additional help. Here are a few common signs to watch out for.
The importance of opening up and being vulnerable
Allowing yourself to be vulnerable can be awkward and uncomfortable, even downright scary at times, but it's an important part of therapy. You can teach and train yourself to be more open in the safety of your therapy sessions.
You are not alone - many LGBTQ+ people get therapy
Besides the stigma surrounding mental health and wellbeing, it’s the fear that prevents people from acknowledging and seeking help - don’t be one of them.
Common types of talking therapy approaches
When it comes to treating mental health issues, what are some of the most common talking therapy approaches out there?
The importance of LGBTQ+ specialised therapists
If you’re considering therapy and are unsure how to go about finding the right therapist for you, one of the questions you may be asking yourself is ‘should I choose a therapist who’s a member of the LGBTQ+ community?’
Thinking about therapy? Here's what you can expect
A person usually decides to see a therapist because they need help navigating or coping with certain aspects of their lives, but they may not have a clear understanding of what that help will entail. So, what is it that you can expect to get from therapy?
First hand experience with therapy - a bisexual man's testimonial
"I'd already been in therapy for a while when I first realised that my therapist thought being gay was somehow a problem for me. What could be more invalidating for a queer person than such disbelief in their own lived experience?"
My first day in therapy
"My first experience of therapy was 6 years ago when I was living in London. I had convinced myself that I didn’t need any more help. Looking back, I don’t know how I ever believed that was the case."
How to get the most out of therapy
There is no 'right way' in therapy, it's work, sometimes hard work, but there are ways you can train yourself to get the most out of your sessions and therapy more generally.
Online therapy for LGBTQ+ people
Digital therapy can provide a lifeline and support for LGBTQ+ people who either can't or prefer not to meet in person.
What is Depression, and what can you do about it?
A short summary of what depression is, the most common symptoms, who is vulnerable and what you can do about it
What is Stress, and what can you do about it?
A short summary of what stress is, the most common symptoms, who is vulnerable and what you can do about it
What is Anxiety, and what can you do about it?
A short summary of what anxiety is, the most common symptoms, who is vulnerable and what you can do about it
What do we mean by 'mental health'?
LGBTQ+ people are sadly more likely to struggle with mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. This makes you wonder, what does it mean to have good mental health?
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