Sexual health and mental health are closely connected. An STI diagnosis, the emotional toll of unplanned pregnancies, navigating menstruation, or finding the right contraception — all of these can have a significant impact on mental wellbeing. Similarly, poor mental health can affect decision-making around sex and relationships.
We’ve created a collection of resources to help you better understand this connection. You’ll find links to trusted organisations, factsheets, videos, podcasts, and exercises to help you navigate the emotional challenges of sexual health, understand its impact on mental wellbeing, and find strategies for support.
Let us know what resource works well for you. If you have any other suggestions for our self-help pages, please send them to ithrive@health-in-mind.org.uk.
Factsheets
These factsheets will help you understand how sexual health and mental health are connected and explore common concerns.
Sexual health from the World Health Organisation
Recognising and responding to the link between mental health and sexual health from Brook
Exploring the link between menstruation, contraception and wellbeing from Brook
How stigma impacts our mental health and sexual health
Tips and information
Here you will find tips and information to help you, or someone close to you, navigate the challenges of sexual health and mental wellbeing, including anxiety around relationships, pregnancy, STIs, and contraception.
Healthy Respect – Supporting young people’s sexual health from NHS Lothian
Sexual Health from Waverley Care
What’s right for me from Contraception Choices
Self-help tool: Periods and mental wellbeing from NHS Inform
Choosing period products from NHS inform
What To Do If You Have an Unexpected Pregnancy: 7 Coping Strategies
Organisations and services
Here is a list of UK wide organisations related to sexual health and wellbeing:
If you are looking for local support, please go to our service directory to find out what services and projects are available to you.