Growing up can be tough, and being LGBTQ+ 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.
The Better Out Than In 2025 campaign is supported by Coimisiún na Meán.
This September, the #BetterOutThanIn campaign is taking on the stigma of asking for help. We all do it. We all need to do it. So let’s normalise being a friend to ourselves and reaching out.
We spoke to some young people about times that they were struggling and reached out for help – to friends, parents, teachers, doctors.
In the words of one, “Now I know that when I was really struggling, the bravest thing I could do was ask for help.”
Listen to their stories, performed by actors, here:
If you’re struggling – the most important thing you can do for yourself is to REACH OUT. Our feelings are always Better Out Than In!
Support Services and Helplines
Remember – there’s always someone to talk to. Scroll to the bottom of this page for mental health supports including crisis counselling, youth groups and helplines.
Worksheets and Explainers:
We don’t have to be struggling to look after our mental health. In fact, taking action before things get on top of us is the best thing to do.
Below, we have practical ‘mental health hacks’ and explainers to supporting our wellbeing – from getting better sleep and developing self-esteem to managing low mood and anxiety.
“If we understand these self-doubts in context, we can begin to notice patterns and see how we can change them.” LGBTQ+ young people can often struggle with self-doubt, but Dr Brendan Dunlop has some super tips to overcome it – BetterOutThanIn. For more tips on managing self-doubt and getting support as an LGBTQ+ young person, head to the Better Out Than In online hub – link in our bio 🔗
“I like to think of self-esteem as being a bit like a thermometer – something that can go up and come down.” Dr Brendan Dunlop deep dives on self-esteem and how we can gauge what kind of support we need. “If our self-esteem is in the red – it doesn’t need to stay there.” Find out on our #BetterOutThanIn hub how you can develop your self-esteem and lots more helpful information on protecting your mental wellbeing – Link in our bio 🔗
“There’s a lot of power in knowing when we need to step back.” As part of our Better Out Than In campaign running all through September, Dr Brendan Dunlop talks us through how to manage reactions from other people to protect our wellbeing. For practical resources to protect your mental health and information on support services for young LGBTQ+ young people, visit our #BetterOutThanIn online hub – link in our bio 🔗
‘’We might not want to see people or do things we used to enjoy.’’ Brendan talks to us about low moods; what they are, how to know when it might be a bigger issue & how to manage these feelings. Visit our online hub & check out our Managing Low Moods worksheet for more info ➡️ belongto.org/youngpeople/betteroutthaninhub/ #BetterOutThanIn
‘’This can have a knock effect to feeling low or anxious.’’ Brendan talks to us about sleep; why it’s important & how it impacts our mood. Visit our online hub & check out our Managing Sleep Difficulties worksheet for more info ⬇️ belongto.org/youngpeople/betteroutthaninhub/ #BetterOutThanIn
‘’Sometimes anxiety can make us feel really alone, when we’re not ’’ Brendan talks to us about anxiety; what it is, how it can manifest & how to manage anxiety. Visit our online hub and check out our Managing Anxious Feelings worksheet for more info on this topic & how to tackle any anxious feelings you may have ⬇️ belongto.org/youngpeople/betteroutthaninhub/ #BetterOutThanIn
