More than half of those surveyed by BeLonGTo feel reluctant to open up about how they are feeling as research finds that nine in ten young LGBT+ people in Ireland face mental health issues.

Yesterday, the LGBT+ youth organisation launched their new campaign, ‘Better Out Than In’, to promote positive mental health among young people.

BeLonGTo Youth Services Executive Director Moninne Griffith spoke about the campaign:

“Once we learned that LGBTI+ youth are afraid to reach out for help when struggling with their mental health, the necessity of the ‘Better Out Than In’ campaign became glaringly apparent. We know that anxiety and depression can form part of the LGBTI+ youth experience, and we want to send a message to LGBTI+ youth that this doesn’t mean they just have to accept it and struggle alone. Taking the brave step of opening up to someone you trust about your worries and fears is worth it.

“In the same way that coming out as LGBTI+ and accepting yourself can be a freeing experience, so too is talking to someone about your mental health. When worries and fears have nowhere to go, they bounce around inside your head and get amplified more until they become larger than life.

“It’s when you share these thoughts that you realise they are far ‘Better Out Than In’. With this campaign, we’re raising awareness that getting help is not something to be feared, it is life-saving and life-affirming and driving home a vital message – that life opens up when they do.”

The campaign, which has the slogan ‘Life opens up when you do’, stresses that it is better to open up about your struggles than to let them build and take over.

According to BelonGTo’s website, “Growing up can be tough and being LGBTI+ can bring more challenges. Taking the brave step of opening up to someone about your worries and fears, no matter how big or small is worth it.

“If you feel worried about something, try talking to a close friend or somebody you feel safe talking to. This could be a sibling, a parent, another family member, a teacher or a youth worker.”