“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’,” says BeLonG To Executive Director Moninne Griffith.

The LGBT+ Youth organisation have launched their ‘Better Out Than In’ campaign, which is encouraging young LGBT+ people to open up about their mental health when they fall on hard times.

Earlier this week, we learned that nine out of ten young LGBT+ people in Ireland face some sort of struggle with their mental health, while most are reluctant to open up about it.

Griffith said, “Once we learned that 80% of LGBTI+ youth are afraid to reach out for help when struggling with their mental health, the necessity of our new campaign ‘Better Out Than In’ became 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.

“This campaign, in partnership with Bank of Ireland, highlights that taking the brave step of opening up to someone you trust about your worries and fears is worth it.”

BeLonG To has also teamed up with influential Irish LGBT+ YouTubers such as Jamie O’Herlihy and James Mitchell, who share their mental health stories to inspire other young people to open up about theirs.

“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,” added Griffith.

BeLonG To is encouraging young LGBT+ people who are having a hard time to open up and seek help from a close friend, a sibling, a parent, another family member, a teacher or a youth worker.

For a list of support services, you can visit BeLonG To’s ‘Better Out Than In’ online hub.