Resources for: LGBTQ+ and Age 12-17
Although identifying as part of the Lesbian, Gay, Bi sexual, Trans & Queer plus communities does not always mean you will have poor mental health and wellbeing, evidence does indicate that LGBTQ+ people are likely to have poorer health outcomes compared to heterosexual people.
This section provides some information and services that may help.

Breathing Space
Breathing Space is a free, confidential phoneline for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16 who is feeling low, anxious or depressed.
Helpline number: 0800 83 85 87
Web: https://breathingspace.scot/

Anna Freud Centre
The Anna Freud Centre transforms mental health by working with infants, children, young people and their families, their communities and professionals to deliver timely evidence-based support for all.
Web: www.annafreud.org/

Childline
Childline Counselling service for children and young people in the UK. Phone, talk to a counsellor online, send Childline an email or post on the message boards.
Helpline number: 0800 11 11
Web: www.childline.org.uk

Ditch the Label
Ditch the Label helps young people aged 12-25 years navigate the issues affecting them the most; from mental health and bullying to identity and relationships.
Web: www.ditchthelabel.org/

Fumble
Fumble is a digital sexual health and relationships education resource with reliable, relatable content on intimacy, relationships, identity, health and wellbeing.
Web: www.fumble.org.uk/

LEAP Sports Scotland
LEAP Sports Scotland (Leadership, Equality and Active Participation in Sports for LGBTI people in Scotland) works for greater inclusion for LGBTI people in sport and against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in a sports context. We are committed to breaking down the structural, social and personal barriers which prevent lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people across the country from accessing, participating and excelling in Scottish sports.
Phone: 0141 202 0777
Web: www.leapsports.org/

LGBT Foundation
LGBT Foundation is a national charity delivering advice, support and information services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) communities.
Phone: 0345 3 30 30 30
Web: www.lgbt.foundation/

LGBT Health and Wellbeing
Promoting the health, wellbeing and equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT+) adults (16+) in Scotland. We welcome the entire diversity of our LGBT+ community including non-binary, queer, intersex, asexual people and all identities under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella
Phone: 0300 123 2523
Web: www.lgbthealth.org.uk/

LGBT Hero
LGBT HERO is the national health and wellbeing charity supporting over 100,000 LGBTQ+ people a month by providing trusted information, advice and various types of support including one-to-one, group and peer-support.
Web: www.lgbthero.org.uk/

LGBT Youth Scotland
Scotland’s national charity for LGBTI young people, working with 13–25 year olds across the country. We also deliver the LGBT Charter programme to schools, organisations and businesses. Our goal is to make Scotland the best place to grow up for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex young people.
Phone: 0141 552 7425
Web: www.lgbtyouth.org.uk/

Mermaids
Support for transgender, nonbinary and gender-diverse children, young people, and their families. Mermaids has evolved into one of the UK’s leading LGBTQ+ charities, empowering thousands of people with its secure online communities, local community groups, helpline services, web resources, events and residential weekends.
Helpline number: 0808 801 0400
Web: www.mermaidsuk.org.uk/

NHS Inform
NHS inform is Scotland's national health information service helping the people in Scotland to make informed decisions about their own health and the health of the people they care for. Also includes a service directory with details of health and wellbeing services across Scotland.
Web: www.nhsinform.scot

Samaritans
A 24 hour support service for anyone who’s struggling to cope, who needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure.
Web: www.samaritans.org

SHOUT Crisis text service
Shout is the UK's first and only free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope.
Helpline number: 85258 free text support service
Web: www.giveusashout.org/

The Mix
The Mix is a UK based charity that provides free, confidential support for young people under 25 via online, social and mobile.
Phone: 0808 808 4994
Web: www.themix.org.uk/

The Proud Trust
The Proud Trust is an LGBT+ organisation that supports LGBT+ young people through youth groups, peer support, mentoring programs and the Proud Connections chat service
Phone: 0161 660 3347
Web: www.theproudtrust.org/

Tullochan
Tullochan supports both young people aged 5-25 and those aged 25+ through a range of development programmes delivered from our Tullochan Training Academy, within Primary/Secondary schools or through their Social Enterprises. Programmes such as Timber Transitions, Furniture Fix, Gardening & Landscaping, Personal Development, Work Placements within their cafe 'The Common Good', or Employability sessions are on offer, alongside LGBTQ+ Youth Action Group and High School Drop-in Youth Club. Their support allows young people and the wider community to improve their mental health and wellbeing, break down barriers and progress positively into education, employment or training.
Web: www.tullochan.org/

Y Sort it
Y Sort It youth centre provides a dedicated youth friendly space with various weekly youth activities offered throughout the West Dunbartonshire area, including support for young carers (10-25 years), peer mentoring for care experienced young people, Outreach Project (8-25 years), Intandem (ages of 8 and 14 and on a Compulsory Supervision Order) and Y Sort-It FUSION LGBT Youth Group for young people 25 years and under, and currently meets online.
Phone: 0141 941 3308
Web: www.ysortit.com/

Stonewall Scotland
Stonewall Scotland works with education, employment and public services to ensure they develop better policies which will lead to better lives for LGBT people, whilst also campaigning for changes in legislation and attitudes.
Web: www.stonewallscotland.org.uk/

Clydebank Can
Clydebank Can is a community-based project that aims to bring to life the canal and bandstand area of Three Queen’s Square in Clydebank. It will bring more arts and leisure activities into the area for local people to enjoy, giving everyone in the community more opportunity to take part in events and activities which improve health and wellbeing, and increase social and economic activity in the area.
The website also contains a 'What's On' section with a wealth of information on local events, clubs, activities and more.
Web: https://www.clydebankcan.com/

Swan Scotland
SWAN is a place for autistic women, girls and non-binary people to understand themselves better, connect with others, and learn from and support one another, without the stress of masking to fit in.
SWAN runs a range of events and activities, both in person and online, including local meet-up groups, online peer support, pre-and post-diagnosis groups, and wellbeing webinars.
All SWAN staff and volunteers are autistic and work hard to make SWAN a safe, welcoming and stress-free place for autistic women, girls and non-binary people.
Web: https://swanscotland.org/?

LGBT Traveller Pride
LGBT Traveller Pride is are group made up of Travellers (used as inclusively as possible) who are LGBT+ (likewise) who want to provide a platform for their intersectional community. They act as a network that can provide guidance, support and information to make life easier for LGBT+ Travellers as well as providing essential services, meetup spaces and collaborating with other organisations to make them more welcoming to LGBT Travellers.
Helpline number: 0800 233 5066 Mondays 5pm - 8.30pm
Web: https://www.lgbttravellerpride.com/

Shameless Youths
Shameless Youths is a youth-led campaign which recognises the importance of supportive conversations between young people and the adults in their lives, particularly when it comes to being online and engaging in relationships online. These conversations need to be regular, judgement-free, informed and respectful... they need to be shameless.
Our aim is to promote positive conversations which support young people to understand what consenting and positive experiences online look like.
The campaign was developed in partnership between West Dunbartonshire Youth Council, West Dunbartonshire Council, NSPCC Scotland a steering group of local partners.
Web: https://www.wdhscp.org.uk/children/shameless-youths/