A greater awareness of the mental health needs of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people is required.
A greater awareness of the mental health needs of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people is required.
Health professionals from Halton & St Helens PCT state the case for a greater awareness of the mental health needs of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people in community and health care settings, and how we might go about this.
A systematic review of studies on mental disorders, suicide and deliberate self harm in lesbian, gay and bisexual people was published last month and has produced some startling findings that should lead to improvements in mental health services for LGB people, and should help support efforts to meet government targets of reducing suicide rates in England by 20% by 2010.
The study, carried out by the National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE), appears to support previous research findings that lesbian, gay and bisexual people do appear to be at greater risk than heterosexual people of mental disorders and suicidal behaviour.
For example, it supports the findings of work carried out in 2003 by the mental health charity MIND, who concluded that gay men, lesbians and bisexuals report more psychological distress than heterosexuals.
This latest study by NIMHE confirmed the following:
· There is at least twice the risk of suicide attempts in lesbian, gay and bisexual people compared to heterosexuals.
· This risk is increased to four times in gay and bisexual men.
· Depression, anxiety, alcohol and substance misuse were at least 1.5 times more prevalent in LGB people.
· Lesbian and bisexual women were particularly at risk of suicidal ideation (thinking about suicide) and substance dependence, while lifetime risk for suicide attempt was especially high in gay and bisexual men.
The level of mental health distress in the LGB community is attributed in large part to the social hostility, stigma and discrimination that people from these groups still experience despite the progress that has been made in recent times.
This is supported by a Department of Health publication - ‘Reducing health inequalities for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people - briefings for health and social care staff’ published last year, which states that ‘discrimination has a negative impact on the health of LGBT people in terms of lifestyles, mental health and other risks’.
This latest report suggests that there is an urgent need for mental health services to develop LGB sensitive services and a need to promote greater awareness of LGB issues through diversity training for staff.
Tackling the root causes of mental distress among the LGB community will be an effective way of addressing the ‘inequality’ in mental health that is experienced by LGB people when compared with heterosexual people.
In Halton & St Helens we’ve adopted a community ‘stakeholder’ approach to tackling the root causes of mental health distress; and we’re working with partner agencies to support investment in the protective factors that enhance positive mental health among diverse groups.
Our newly implemented Mental Health Promotion Strategy identifies community ‘champions’ who are raising awareness of issues like LGB mental health; mobilising community support, building capacity and identifying resources to tackle the root causes of distress.
If we’re going to get serious about tackling mental distress in the LGB community we need to listen to, and work with LGB people in order to understand the root causes of their distress and how we might overcome these.
Contact:
Mark Swift and Jen Brown, Health Improvement Specialist – Mental Health & Wellbeing, Halton & St Helens PCT
Email. markswift@sthelens.gov.uk
Tel. 01744 697 433
Jane Marshall, Senior Health Improvement Specialist - Sexual Health, Halton & St Helens PCT
Email. Jane.Marshall@hsthpct.nhs.uk
Tel. 01744 457 222
Andrew Perkins, Alcohol Liaison Nurse and ‘LGB Mental Health Champion’ – The Lifestyles Team, Halton & St Helens PCT
Email. Andrew.Perkins@hsthpct.nhs.uk
Halton & St Helens Community Mental Health Directory www.mhdirectory.net
Reference:
Reducing health inequalities for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people - briefings for health and social care staff. Department of Health, 2007.
Mental disorders, suicide, and deliberate self harm in lesbian, gay and bisexual people. A systematic review. National Institute for Mental Health in England, 2008.
Mental health and social wellbeing of gay men, lesbians and bisexuals in England and Wales. Mind, 2003.