In February 2001 a Special Interest Group in Gay and Lesbian Mental Health was established in the College to promote discussion and research, provide expertise within the College and contribute to education. 

The Group’s aims are:

1. To promote and research the mental health of LGBT people.
2. To promote training for all mental health professionals re. the mental health of LGBT people.
3. To support and advocate for LGBT mental health professionals.
4. To advise on mental health, social and other local and national policy relating to LGBT mental health.

Find out more about:

• Past activities
• Newsletters and reports 
• How to join

Chair:                     Annie Bartlett( Michael King from June 2009)

Secretary:              Helen Killaspy (Shawn Mitchell from June 2009)

Finance Officer:     Sandra Evans

Other members: Gian Galeazzi, Susan Galea and Steve Hopker (website)

The Executive meet roughly three times a year, including the SIG Annual General Meeting at the College Annual Conference. More members are always welcome.

• being gay or lesbian in the NHS: issues for staff and patients
• self harm in vulnerable groups
• discrimination and mental health
• working with mental health problems in lesbian and gay clients
• psychotherapy for lesbian, gay and bisexual people.

• sex and psychosis
• impact of discrimination
• parenting
• multiple diversities
• boundaries and therapeutic relationships
• gay and lesbian health matters

The Group has also been involved in representing the College as the Special Interest Group on Gay and Lesbian Mental Health at the National Institute for Mental Health England. It has advised the College on its Social Inclusion report and its submission to the Church of England Listening Exercise on Human Sexuality. The Group has also developed a Diversity Training pack.

Educational meetings

• Working With Mental Health Problems in Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Clients - A one day seminar hosted by the Lesbian and Gay Special Interest Group (Wednesday 19 May 2004).
• Are You Gay?  - A one day meeting on therapeutic boundaries and sexuality (Saturday 17 September 2005).

Membership is open to all Members or Associates of the College. Others may be invited to join at the discretion of the Chair.

To join, please email the College Membership Section.

The Executive Committee of the Special Interest Group is well aware that membership of this Group can be a sensitive issue for some people who are concerned about confidentiality.

Thus we wish to emphasise that the College keeps contact details strictly confidential. The Executive Committee for the Group does not know the names and contact details of non-executive members unless they provide them informally to us. College staff handle all mailings.

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