I couldn’t express, explore and embrace my full self. I think that denying my experiences lead to anxiety and negatively affected my self-esteem. That made me push down my feelings and hide parts of myself, even from myself. At school, calling someone a lesbian was considered the worst insult, so I knew that if I came out, I’d risk losing people or being treated differently. I knew I wasn’t only attracted to men but felt ashamed and had to hide it from my friends. Growing up I didn’t have the language to tell people I was bi. I wanted to be myself, but I hoped and prayed that my feelings would go away, because I feared rejection.

When Emily and Naomi kissed on Skins, when I read an Agony Aunt column about having a crush on your best friend, when I met a proud, openly queer person for the first time – all these moments bought up feelings of excitement and dread. I think a lot of lesbian, gay, bi and queer people have that light bulb moment where you realise, you’re not straight. Our Senior Campaigns Officer, Molly Maher, opens up about the mental health impact of experiencing biphobia, and the importance of community. News Blog Health & social care Social exclusion 6 February is Time to Talk Day, an initiative by Time to Change that encourages everyone to be more open about mental health.