In this weeks episode we discuss Managing Isolation & Wellbeing Strategies.

The Covid Pandemic and Lockdown has been a difficult time for everyone. Managing our mental health and wellbeing has been a challenge that many have had to adapt to, especially for those who struggle with anxiety and depression. 

Joining our podcast today is Clinical Psychologist Dr. Felicity Saunders, Prepster’s and The Love Tank Strategic Lead Phil Samba and Wellbeing Coach Mina Kakaiya, who are at the forefront of support and guidance for people living with HIV. You can find a full list of resources and support organisations in our show notes below. 

We hope you enjoy the show. 

Dr. Felicity Saunders is a Clinical Psychologist who works within the NHS at The Mortimer Market Centre. She completed her doctorate at University College London (UCL). She has a keen interest in how compassion focussed therapy can support those with sexual wellbeing difficulties and those living with HIV. She has previously experience working within trauma services and uses these skills within her current role, supporting those who have been sexually assaulted or experience stigma in relation to their sexuality or diagnosis of HIV.

Phil Samba is the strategic lead for #PrEP4QueerMenOfColour at Prepster, (The Love Tank) an organisation that educates and agitates for PrEP in England and beyond. He is a social activist, a writer and a researcher with a focus on health inequalities of people of colour. His work primarily focuses on improving the sexual health of queer men of colour, he strives for equality within the intersection of race and sexuality and provides an honest representation of black queer men.

Mina Kakaiya is an author and Transformational Wellbeing Coach, Hypnotherapist and Mindfulness Practitioner. As well as being a HIV Activist, Mina has been involved in a number of HIV campaigns and teaches Emotional-Resilience, Mindfulness and sexual wellbeing.

Resources & Support Organisations

Stonewall - https://www.stonewall.org.uk/about-us/news/how-covid-19-affecting-lgbt-communities 

LGBT foundation - https://lgbt.foundation/coronavirus/why-lgbt-people-are-disproportionately-impacted-by-coronavirus

Self Compassion: https://youtu.be/-kfUE41-JFw

How to be a friend to yourself: https://youtu.be/wFUxiIjp-Nk-

Connect with other LGBT people through forums and online chat e.g. www.trevorspace.org. Organisations such as LGBT Foundation, Terrence Higgins Trust and Galop are holding number of workshops, events and support sessions via Zoom so you can stay connected

Sexual health

Sexual Health London https://www.shl.uk/

Prepster  https://prepster.info/covid/

Dean Street https://dean.st/chemsex/chemsex-support-during-covid-19-outbreak/

Antidote https://londonfriend.org.uk/antidote-drugs-alcohol/

Change Grow Live https://www.changegrowlive.org/advice-info/alcohol-drugs/chemsex-drugs

LBGTQI+ community

GALOP https://www.galop.org.uk/community-links/

London Friend https://londonfriend.org.uk/

Terrance Higgins Trust https://www.tht.org.uk/

LGBT Foundation http://lgbt.foundation/

LGBT Tribe https://support.therapytribe.com/lgbt-support-group/

Outlife https://www.outlife.org.uk/forums

Black Out UK https://blkoutuk.com/

+Pals https://metrocharity.org.uk/hiv/plus-pals-hiv-support-group

Trans Network London http://transnetworklondon.org.uk/

Connect Well https://www.livingwellcic.com/portfolio-item/connect-well/

Positively UK podcasts https://positivelyuk.org/lgbt-podcast/