At NUM, we recognise the barriers that sex workers may face in seeking mental health support. We understand the need for and importance of affirming, understanding and informed health care, and the possible harms that may result when sex workers are unable to access this.
Our Research and Development Team (R&D) of industry experts have partnered with a mental health therapist to produce materials specifically aimed at sex workers, tackling key issues faced by the sex work community in a supportive way. We will continue to update this page as new materials and resources are produced.
NUM’s Mental Health Resources
Our sex worker-friendly therapists directory provides a list of in-person and online therapists working in a variety of fields and disciplines across the UK, who have signed up to a statement supporting sex worker rights and safety.
Many therapists offer NUM packages which provide therapy sessions free to you! These can be 3 sessions, or 6 sessions. If you would like to access therapy through a NUM package, please get in touch with our casework team at casework@nationaluglymugs.org.
You can access our directory of sex worker-friendly therapists here. We will update this on a regular basis as we add and amend details for people in the guide, so do come and check back!
Our casework team can provide you with support following crime and harm. They can also help you to access resources that you might need for food, housing or healthcare. Find out more about how our casework team can support you here.
This guide was created during the Covid-19 pandemic to provide support and understanding for anyone who might be experiencing grief and loss, whether this is caused by death, a relationship breakdown or other life changes or events. It has been created as a collaboration between sex workers and George, our Mental Health Support Services Coordinator, to address both universal and sex worker-specific issues when dealing with loss. The guide covers the types of grief you may experience, advice for self-care and tips for working while grieving, as well as providing links to further resources.
This guide was created during the Covid-19 pandemic to provide safety guidance and support to anyone who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts or ideation, as well as provide advice to people who may have a loved one experiencing these. The guide covers ways to cope at times of both acute and long-term suicidal thoughts, some warning signs, how to support someone if they disclose suicidal thoughts to you, and a range of additional resources to support short and long-term mental wellbeing.
There is also a template safety plan which you can download. If you or someone you know experiences suicidal thoughts, this can be a way of reducing any desires to act on those thoughts and to help create feelings of safety. Fill this in when you are feeling well and keep it for when you are not.
You can access our suicide awareness and prevention guide here.
Our hypnotherapy sessions have been created to provide relaxation and guidance around common mental health stresses. They are each around 25-30 minutes long, and have been designed by George, our Mental Health Support Services Coordinator, who is a professionally-qualified Hypnotherapist and Psychotherapist.
The sessions cover:
The YouTube video beside this description will take you to the playlist of all our recorded sessions.
You can find more information about these, and access individual sessions, here.
If you would like any further information on NUM’s mental health support services, please email George at mentalhealthsupport@nationaluglymugs.org.
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