A report published by Stonewall this week gives a mixed picture of life for LGBTQ+ people in the UK.
The main findings are that while many people feel acceptance has improved over the last ten years, many are still facing challenges that can have a serious impact on their mental health.
The report highlights that:
- Half of LGBTQ+ people are pessimistic about the future of equality, rising to 80% of trans+ people.
- 34% of trans+ people have avoided healthcare for fear of discrimination
- 54% of those who tried to access NHS mental health services found it difficult
- 43% report high anxiety, compared with 24% of the general population54% of LGBTQ+ people have considered suicide and 22% have attempted it. Among trans+ people, this rises to 71% and 32%.
At Everyturn, we know people are more likely to stay mentally well when they feel safe, included and supported. This report shows that, while progress has been made, more must be done to tackle discrimination, both for the people who access our services and our LGBTQ+ colleagues.
Adam Crampsie, Chief Executive at Everyturn commented:
“Reading this report as an LGBTQ+ person, and as someone who has spent much of my career working in mental health, I find it both heartbreaking and deeply frustrating.
“More than half of LGBTQ+ people surveyed have considered suicide, and almost a third of trans people have attempted it. Those figures should shock every one of us.
“We’ve made huge progress on LGBTQ+ equality over the years, but this report shows just how much further we have to go. We know that discrimination, prejudice and feeling unsafe can have a devastating impact on people’s mental health. We also know how much of a difference acceptance and belonging can make.
“We need to be strong in our commitment to the LGBTQ+ community, offering equity and inclusivity across services and the wider mental health system. Only by having a willingness to actively listen, respond and adapt can we make positive changes to the people who we support, where and when they need it most.
“These figures should be a wake-up call for government, healthcare leaders and society as a whole. We need more than words of support. We need meaningful action, investment and a genuine commitment to tackling the inequalities that are costing people their wellbeing and, tragically, their lives.”