Switchboard runs a new campaign for LGBT people

Helpline Switchboard has sent 10,000 posters to GP surgeries across the U.K., offering free support to people who are struggling with their identity.

Switchboard runs a provides confidential phone, e-mail and instant messaging services to support people who want to talk about sexuality and gender identity.

As part of a new campaign, it has sent posters for GPs to display poster offering “calm words when you need them most”.

Dr Christian Jessen, who backed the initiative, sent a letter alongside the poster advocating for it.

He wrote: "We all know that patients come to see us when they’re worried not only about their physical health but also when they have concerns about their mental, emotional or sexual health. Questions about sexuality and/or gender identity are often associated with teenagers, but as I am sure you will have experienced, patients can come to us with these concerns at any age, and their questions can be very tricky to answer".

And he added: "Switchboard, the LGBT helpline is one the UK’s oldest LGBT charities which has provided crucial information and support to callers for over 40 years. It’s a voluntary organisation which provides an information, support and referral service for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people and anyone who needs to consider issues around sexuality and/or gender identity. They promote a positive attitude to being lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and are confidential, welcoming, supportive and non-judgmental".

Thanks for everything you do!

@switchboardLGBT is on Twitter