IN need of support?
Hearing about conversion therapy might be difficult for you. This is something that has sadly hurt thousands of LGBTQIA+ people, and something that continues to cause damage to people across the UK today.
Conversion therapy can have a long-lasting impact on people's mental health, with some people still experiencing trauma for months and years afterward. If you have been affected by conversion therapy, or anything like it, at any point in your life, support is available for you.
There are lots of different kinds of conversion therapy, and they can happen in all sorts of environments - including religious, medical, psychological or psychiatric. It doesn't matter where it took place, there are organisations and support services ready to listen and give advice.
We understand how anxious you might feel reaching out for support. If you haven’t spoken to someone about your sexual orientation or gender identity before, this can be a really scary thing to do. You might feel more comfortable speaking to someone from an LGBTQIA+ organisation, or you might not. That’s OK, whichever you choose, all of these organisations are here to support offer support.
If you have friends, family or colleagues who could benefit from this support, please share this page with them.
What kind of support is right for you?
Different people may want to access different kinds of support. You might want to talk through your experiences with someone to help process what has happened to you and help you to understand your own feelings. In this case, you may want to call a helpline, or access a webchat support service.
Your experiences of conversation therapy may have left you more significant trauma that you want to access support for. In this case, counselling with an LGBTQIA+-affirmative counsellor might be the right option for you. There are a number of free counselling programmes across the country, and one of the helplines listed below should be able to help you find an appropriate counsellor in your local area. If you don’t want to access support through an LGBTQIA+ organisation, your GP can also refer you for counselling.
Please be aware that links are provided for signposting purposes. Stonewall is not affiliated with listed organisations or responsible for the content of external websites.
GALOP’S National Conversion Therapy Helpline
A dedicated conversion therapy helpline run by experienced LGBT+ staff. The helpline is open to all LGBT+ people in the UK who are victims of so-called “conversion therapy”, or who think they might be at risk. The service is run by LGBT+ anti-abuse charity Galop, which works directly with thousands of LGBT+ people who have experienced abuse and violence every year.
The National Conversion Therapy Helpline is open 10:00-16:00, Monday to Friday on 0800 130 3335, or you can email CThelp@galop.org.uk.
GIRES
GIRES is available to provide limited support via our phone line Monday to Friday during office hours. You can also contact us via web@gires.org.uk
House of Rainbow
House Of Rainbow Fellowship is an inclusive, welcoming and affirming religious community to all people including sexual minorities and marginalised people.
LGBT Foundation
Offers a range of services for LGBT people, including wellbeing support via a national helpline – 0345 3 30 30 30 and helpline@lgbt.foundation
Mermaids
Mermaids has been working to empower trans people for over 25 years. We provide emotional support to trans, non-binary and gender diverse children, young people and their families via our helpline, web chat, local groups and more. While we are not trained experts in supporting survivors of conversion therapies and practices, we will always endeavour to listen and will try to signpost individuals to other support organisations where possible.
MindOUT
MindOut is a mental health service run by and for lesbians, gay, bisexual, trans and queer people with experience of mental health issues.
MindLine Trans+
Emotional support helpline for trans+ people - 0300 330 5468
Switchboard LGBT
Advice and support for LGBT people, including a helpline, email and webchat service - 0300 330 0630
If you can’t find what you need, please browse Stonewall’s list of organisations that can help during the COVID-19 crisis, or contact Stonewall’s Information Service. You can also find a list of organisations on LGBT Consortium’s Members Directory.
General support organisations
Age UK
A national organisation offering support for older people in the UK. You can call their Advice Line on 0800 169 6565
Childline
A free, private and confidential service for young people aged under 19 in the UK. Call 0800 1111
Mind
A national mental health charity offering advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. Call the Mind Infoline on 0300 123 3393
Samaritans
Whatever you’re going through, Samaritans are there for you 24hrs a day, 365 days a year. Call 116 123 for free, or email jo@samaritans.org
SHOUT
A 24hr crisis text support service. Text ‘Switchboard’ or 85258