PACE's mental health advocacy service provides practical support, enabling lgbt people with mental health issues or who are in emotional distress to make informed choices, to represent themselves and to get the services that they need.

Discrimination, homophobia and heterosexism mean that gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people are more likely to have mental health issues than heterosexual people.

Many lgbt people are reluctant to access mainstream services or unwilling to disclose their orientation in case they experience discrimination or are misunderstood. This can reduce the effectiveness of the support that they receive or lead to less positive outcomes.

PACE's mental health advocacy team aims to counterbalance these inequalities.
How we can support you

We can help you to write letters, make phone calls, attend meetings and find appropriate support organisations. Appointments with PACE advocates are an opportunity to talk about the issues that concern you and get support in prioritising and making practical, informed decisions.

An advocate will:

* be on your side
* listen to what you have to say
* provide information on your rights and available resources
* support you to represent yourself
* help you to get what you want from the system, e.g. contacting appropriate agencies, accompanying you to meetings, writing letters, etc.

An advocate will not:

* side with professionals
* tell you what you ought to do
* speak to people about you without you being present

Click here for a direct link to Advocacy on the PACE website.