LGBT Health and Wellbeing

Due to systems of power such as homophobia and transphobia, LGBTQI+ people can experience dual and multiple forms of stigma and discrimination that intersect with mental health stigma and discrimination.

To help to better understand these intersections and tackle mental health stigma and discrimination, See Me have worked in close partnership with LGBT Health and Wellbeing since 2017.

This partnership focused on the creation and ongoing support of See Me Proud, a group of Community Champions raising awareness of mental health stigma and discrimination within their communities and wider society.

See Me Proud volunteers achieved a huge amount in the 7 years the partnership was running, including; creating zines, pride events, graphic novels, facilitating awareness raising and training sessions, running stalls, creating resources, making podcasts, working with strategic bodies, gaining places on boards and making films.

Our partners at LGBT Health and Wellbeing enabled See Me Proud workers and champions to create the conditions where marginalised communities feel supported to share their experiences safely. This work is testament to the way in which relationships are grown, nurtured and work is conducted in collaboration with the communities. The project has successfully demonstrated how using a culturally appropriate, peer led approach can result in a deeper understanding of the nature and impact of the intersectional stigmas impacting the group. This in turn has resulted in closer partnership working and greater accessibility and shared understanding.

Our partners at Mental Health Foundation are currently producing an evaluation of See Me Proud which will be shared here.