Sexual & Mental Health
This is where we list all our sexual health and mental well being resources for you.
We have some BSL videos done by some of our members, please have a look at the drop down list within sexual health & well-being for sexual health information, unsure about your sexuality and coming out stories.
As we are still expanding this content and if there’s something you’d like us to cover or let us know then please do get in touch via our email at the bottom of this page.
Monkeypox Information
An overview of the symptoms of Monkeypox and how it is spread. It is important to isolate for 21 days if you think you might be infected.
Thank you to SignHealth for the partnership to share the important information about Monkeypox in BSL!
Monkeypox Overview
What is Monkeypox?
Treatment for Monkeypox
Shout: Text Crisis Service
Shout is the UK’s first 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help.
Text 85258 with the text ‘Pride’ or ‘Switchboard’ or “Mermaids’ to get started.
Shout is powered by a team of volunteers, who are at the heart of the service. They take people from crisis to calm every single day.
Everything is anonymous.
HPV Vaccine Information
HPV vaccinations are available for anyone under the age of 45.
If you are gay, bi or you are a man who has sex with men? Under 45? We want to tell you about HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccinations (not to be confused from HIV, as that is different). The (HPV) vaccine is being made available throughout the UK through sexual health clinics to gay, bi or MSM (men who have sex with men) who are 15 and up to 45 years of age. After 45, the vaccine is less effective. You will need 3 doses and different time periods.
The vaccine will help to prevent HPV infection which can cause genital warts and HPV-associated cancers (such as penile, anal and throat). It is especially important for those who are living with HIV Please book an appointment at your local Sexual Health clinic to get these jabs. More information about HPV vaccinations
Cervical Cancer Screening – It's Not Just For Straight Women
I want to talk about Cervical Cancer Screening. Cervical cancer is not just a straight woman’s issue, as it affects LGBT and trans who may have internal female parts too.
It is concerning as currently 3,000 women are diagnosed every year, and an average of 900 women die every year. This figure includes LGBT and trans women. At the moment one in three ignore screening letters and do not bother to book the simple screening test. There are several reasons why they don’t do the test – they may be embarrassed that healthcare staff will be looking at their private parts, but they are so used to see lots of bodies every day, it’s not a big issue for them! And it only takes five minutes.
There was a brief peak uptake on screening tests when Jade Goody, a Big Brother celebrity discovered too late that she had cervical cancer in 2008. Even though she only had eight months to live, she was very open about her journey and campaigned to encourage more women to get tested. But sadly, the peak is gone and the government is now concerned by the low uptake.
Due to their research National LGBT Partnership have discovered that 37% of LGBT and trans have been told by healthcare professionals not to do the test as there was no risk for them, as they don’t do straight sex. But HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer is passed on through skin to skin intimate contact too so there is a risk for them. So this disinformation is concerning.
Public Health England, an government organisation is currently doing a public campaign to remove the disinformation amongst healthcare staff and advising LGBT to go get tested regularly too. It’s not just the UK that has this problem as in other western countries, there is a misinformation issue among healthcare professionals too.
It’s so easy to get tested, just go to your GP and they will book one for you and the test is only 5 minutes, so there is no need to be embarrassed as it could just save your life! Please think about it.
More information:
PHE Screening blog – https://phescreening.blog.gov.uk
NHS Cervical Screening (CSP) Programme – https://www.gov.uk/topic/population-screening-programmes/cervical
NHS Cervical Screening – https://www.nhs.uk/cervicalscreening
HIV
December 1st represents world AIDS day. An important day to raise awareness and the challenges and stigma against it. It’s always very important for everyone including yourself to know your status. It’s free quick and easy, and can even be done in your own home!
Number 1: follow this link to get started: https://www.startswithme.org.uk/
Number 2: Find your nearest sexual health clinic.
Number 3: You can also ask your GP.
If you have any questions then please do get in touch with us at Deaf Rainbow UK via this email: hello@deafrainbowuk.org.uk
Remember, give HIV the finger!
Mental Health
For mental health information, Sign Health has a large library of BSL videos on the subject found via this link.
