Protecting Mental Wellbeing in the LGBTQ+ Community

The LGBTQ+ community faces unique and profound challenges when it comes to mental health. According to Stonewall's "LGBT in Britain - Health" report, half of LGBTQ+ people (52%) experienced depression in the past year, and nearly one in eight LGBTQ+ individuals aged 18-24 (13%) reported attempting to take their own life during the same period.

These statistics reveal the impact of stigma, discrimination, and systemic marginalisation on LGBTQ+ members’ mental health. Anxiety, depression, and other issues increase when our society invalidates identities and where a safe environment and acceptance seem impossible.

Addressing mental health within the LGBTQ+ community is an indispensable element of the larger struggle for equality and inclusion. If we want to live in an equal society, everyone has the right to live without fear, get the support they deserve, and flourish in a community that affirms their worth.

What are the Mental Health Challenges Faced by the LGBTQ+ Community?

As said before, LGBTQ+ individuals experience significantly higher rates of mental health challenges compared to others. According to The Trevor Project's 2023 U.S. National Survey, for five consecutive years, the data show that anti-LGBTQ victimisation contributes to the higher rates of suicide in young people and that most who want mental health care are unable to get it.

Some other examples of mental health disparities in the LGBTQ+ community are: