As a young person you might already identify within the LGBTQIA community, or you might be questioning your gender identity.

Sometimes how you feel about your gender identity can be affected by a cancer diagnosis and treatment. Or maybe your cancer experience has been more challenging due to body image concerns or your gender affirming care has been affected by your cancer treatment.

Being Trans, Non-binary or questioning your gender in any way is not a mental health problem. But coming to terms with your gender identity isn’t always easy, and sometimes what you’re going through can impact your mental health.

For more information and support on gender identity, talking to others, accessing transition healthcare, discrimination and abuse and ways to support your mental health, please follow the below link:

1. Gender identity and Mental Health | Tips and support | YoungMinds
2. Resources - The BeYou Project - Porchlight

For online support Outpatients is the UK’s only cancer and LGBTQIA charity, led by the LGBTQIA community, Outpatients provides support through peer services, advocacy and information for patients throughtout treatment and beyond. 

• OUTpatients - LGBTIQ+ Cancer Charity

For patients who are transgender or non binary? 

• https://www.wearetransplus.co.uk/uk-cancer-and-transition-service/

If you are interested to join 'Shine LGBTQIA WhatsApp group'

• lgbtqi - Cancer support charity for young people - Shine (shinecancersupport.org) 

Further information and support can be found on the following links:

• Supporting LGBTQ+ young people with cancer | Teenage Cancer Trust
•  Resources for trans and non-binary people - CoppaFeel!
• Cancer Research UK and LGBTQIA+ Pride | Cancer Research UK
• Trans and non-binary cancer screening | Cancer Research UK
• Research shows one size doesn’t fit all for cervical screening in the trans and non-binary community
• LGBTQIA+ cancer forum | Macmillan Online Community
• emptyclosets.com - Online community for anyone aged over 13 who identifies as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, or is curious or unsure.
• consortium.lgbt/member-directory - Directory of services and groups for people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.

If your gender identity is affecting your mental health, you may want to explore having counselling, you could access counselling by visiting your GP or following the below link to find your local NHS talking therapy service and self refer:

• Find NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression - NHS

Or if you prefer, you could opt for a text based service, such as:

Young Minds textline 

Provides free, 24/7 text support for young people across the UK experiencing a mental health crisis. Text YM to 85258. More information: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/youngminds-textline/ 

The Mix – crisis messenger 

The Mix’s crisis messenger text service provides free 24/7 crisis support across the UK to those 25 and under. Text THEMIX to 85258.
themix.org.uk