LGBTQ+ and Mental Health
August 18, 2021
This article covers
What does LGBTQ+ mean?
LGBTQ+ and mental health issues: the data
LGBTQ+ and mental health issues: why?
What support is available?
Useful resources
What does LGBTQ+ mean?
LGBTQ+ is an acronym whose initials stand for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer* or questioning, but it is used as an umbrella term for anyone who is not heterosexual (also known as ‘straight’), or cisgender (identifying with their sex assigned at birth). In actual fact, LGBTQ+ refers to far more than just those 5 groups, which is where the + comes in. It is an inclusive term for anyone who defines their sexuality and/or gender in diverse ways.
There are other variants of the term, including LGBTQIA (lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual/aromantic/agender). However, we will refer to the community as LGBTQ+ as the + specifically includes any and all others who may identify as non-straight, or non-cisgender. This includes non-binary people.
Definitions of any of these terms, and others under the LGBTQ+ umbrella, can be found in Stonewall's List of LGBTQ+ Terms.
* One note: ‘queer’ as a term has been reclaimed and is used by some in the LGBTQ+ community, but others find it problematic or offensive. It is safest not to single out this term to refer to anyone in the LGBTQ+ community, though they may choose to refer to themselves this way.
Coming out as bisexual affected me in a positive way because I felt more at ease with my emotions and free to think and feel how I wanted, but also affected me negatively because my family members don’t really approve, and this made me feel quite alone as I am the only member of my family who is in the LGBTQ+ community.
Addison – Mindsum Peer Support Worker
LGBTQ+ and mental health issues: The Data
Just Like Us, the LGBT+ young people’s charity surveyed nearly 3,000 secondary school pupils and discovered that: “LGBT+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) young people are twice as likely to feel lonely and more than twice as likely to worry daily about their mental health than their non-LGBT+ peers”.
- 68% of LGBT+ young people say their mental health has got worse since the pandemic (compared to 49% of non-LGBT+ young people)
- LGBT+ young people are 3 times more likely to self-harm
- LGBT+ young people are twice as likely to have depression, anxiety and panic attacks
- LGBT+ pupils are twice as likely to have been bullied in the past year
- LGBT+ pupils feel less safe on a daily basis at school.
You can read the full 2021 report on Growing Up LGBT+.
Stonewall’s 2018 report LGBT in Britain, reported that, for older young people,
- half of LGBT people aged 18-24 have thought about taking their life in the last year
- 1 in 8 18-24-year-olds said they had tried to take their life in the last year
- 48% of LGBT young people aged 18-24 have deliberately harmed themselves in the last year
- 1 in 8 18-24-year-olds took drugs at least once a month
- LGBT people aged 18-24 are more likely to have experienced depression in the last year
- 9% of LGBT people aged 18-24 have experienced pressure to access services to question or change their sexual or gender identity (commonly known as ‘conversion therapy’ or, more accurately, conversion practices).
Metro, the equality and diversity charity, carried out a 5-year Youth Chances Survey of more than 7,000 16-25-year-olds. Their results reveal that among other findings:
- most young LGBTQ people feel that their time at school is affected by hostility or fear
- LGBTQ young people report significantly higher levels of mental health problems
- Among the LGBTQ sample, transgender young people face the greatest levels of disadvantage and discrimination.
These are not isolated reports. There are many others, with similar data outcomes. The findings show the stark realities of life as an LGBTQ young person in the UK today: often feeling lonely, unsafe and fearful.
It is an opportunity for affirming adults - especially parents and teachers - to step up and show support and solidarity in visible ways. Child Psychologist Emma Woodward said, “Just having an adult who is understanding and supportive and will listen to a child can be really helpful… I think people have the ability to help on a micro-scale. People can provide individual support for these kids.”
LGBTQ+ and mental health issues: why?
It is common, but not inevitable, for people who identify as LGBTQ+ to struggle with their mental health, with an increased likelihood of experiencing depression, anxiety low self-esteem, self-harm and suicide, and substance abuse. Just as LGBTQ+ is an umbrella term for a diverse community, there is no single LGBTQ+ mental health experience.
The reasons for this link with mental ill health are complex and interwoven but can include:
- experiences of homophobia/biphobia/transphobia
- experiences (or fears) of coming out, at home, in school or elsewhere
- social isolation and/or rejection.
It is also true that it is currently particularly hard being LGBTQ+ in the UK. ILGA Europe, which “works for LGBTI people’s safety, equality and freedom” tracks the human rights of LGBTQ+ people in European countries across 7 different legal and policy areas, and creates an annual rainbow map and index of their rankings. Until 2015, the UK had consistently ranked in first place every year, but it has fallen in the ratings every year since then. The UK’s current ranking for LGBTQ+ rights in Europe is currently 14th place - “the most dramatic drop”. The reasons given in the report are:
- anti-trans rhetoric — mainstream newspapers ran one or more anti-trans articles every day, the BBC was criticised for its transphobic reporting with some employees quitting, and there was an “ever-escalating wave of anti-trans hate speech” in academia
- homophobic and transphobic hate crimes have both increased (according to official hate crime statistics)
- the process of banning conversion ‘therapy’ (conversion practices) has not progressed, despite government promises
- the Department for Education ended funding for programmes targeting LGBTQ+ bullying in schools
- many advisors quit the government’s LGBT+ advisory panel, because of “concerns of the government’s growing hostility towards LGBT+ and particularly trans people”. The advisory panel was disbanded in April.
It is important that we do not infer causation here without data to back it up. But we may be able to see a correlation between the factual events listed above, and the growing loneliness, isolation and mental health difficulties of LGBTQ+ young people growing up in the UK. It makes it even more important for us to support LGBTQ+ people in our everyday lives.
Pride in LGBTQ+
Identifying as LGBTQ+ is not automatically equated with mental ill health. Negative events, like experiencing bullying and a lack of school protection, can be considered risk factors which may increase the risk of mental health issues for LGBTQ+ young people. Emma Woodward said, “Bullying, discrimination, and social exclusion are hugely important risk factors for these kids”. But there are also protective factors, like family and school support, which we can use to decrease LGBTQ+ people’s risk of mental health issues.
Embracing and being proud of your family member’s LGBTQ+ identity can have a positive and powerful impact on their mental health. Most data shows that having a high level of support from the family is the largest single protective factor against mental ill health. One study found that “family acceptance in adolescence is associated with young adult positive health outcomes (self-esteem, social support, and general health)” and these young people were ⅔ less likely to report suicidal ideation and suicide attempts compared to those with low family acceptance. Affirming LGBTQ+ young people saves lives!
In the transgender community, higher levels of ‘family connectedness’ have been linked to better self-reported mental health in trans teens aged 14-18. And trans youth aged 16-24 with supportive parents reported lower rates of depressive symptoms, suicide contemplation, and suicide attempts. It is so important to engage with, make time for, and build memories with our transgender young people.
Being in a community with other LGBTQ+ people - finding their ‘rainbow tribe’ - can help make LGBTQ+ young people feel less isolated, misunderstood and alone. Attending events like Pride can help them to find a sense of community and belonging, experience being able to be their authentic self in a safe and affirming space, and provide young LGBTQ+ people with strong role models.
There are frequently LGBTQ+ youth groups available either in the local community or online, and these can put young people in touch with others so they feel less socially isolated.
What most helped me to come out, in general, was the fact that there are more people in the LGBTQ+ community now than ever before, and with all the support they are getting and how they would have made me feel comfortable with joining the community it gave me great relief and more confidence with the choice of coming.
Addison – Mindsum Peer Support Worker
What support is available?
If you need immediate help, Papyrus offers confidential suicide prevention advice: text 07860 039967, or call 0800 068 4141 between 9 am and midnight every day.
Working with a counsellor or therapist can help you to work through difficult feelings, relationships, and other challenges that you might be experiencing. You might prefer to work with a therapist specialising in LGBTQ+ issues, though not all services can guarantee this. You can find a list of LGBTQ+ organisations below.
You can book a free initial consultation with a qualified mental health professional through our online service.
The thing I most found helpful is talking to someone. I talked to some of my friends and with their support helped me come out to my family and accept myself within, knowing they would also be there to help me. And if you don’t have anyone to talk to, there are mental health websites where you can talk privately to a professional. Talking about issues deep in your head is the best way to get it out and more clearly.
Addison – Mindsum Peer Support Worker
LGBTQ+ resources
Organisations that provide support services for LGBTQ+ people
AKT
A charity working towards safe homes and better futures for LGBTQ+ young people. It offers live chat for LGBTQ+ young people aged 16-25, and resources in its online community hub.
Galop
Supports LGBT+ people who have experienced abuse and violence. It offers free, confidential and independent support for LGBT+ young people aged 13-25, an online community for domestic abuse survivors, an AI chatbot, helplines and support services.
Gendered Intelligence
A charity set up to increase understanding of gender diversity and to help other trans people (under 25 years old) to live better lives. It offers youth groups in London and Leeds, a directory of therapists and counsellors who work with trans people and their loved ones, a support line for those waiting for NHS gender-affirming care, and reports and resources for professionals and educational settings.
Just Like Us
The LGBT+ young people’s charity works with schools and young people across the UK. It offers LGBT+ inclusive school resources.
Mermaids
A charity which was set up specifically to help gender-diverse kids, young people and their families. It offers a helpline, webchat and text message chat services, legal services and training, as well as some local youth groups.
Mind
A charity which provides empowering advice and support to anybody experiencing a mental health problem. It offers online peer support, campaigns for the government to give children and young people the right mental health support, and offers workplace training and information.
MindOut
A mental health service run by, and for, LGBTQ people. It offers online support via the chat box on the website, group therapy and peer support groups in Brighton, and a telephone befriending service.
Mosaic Trust
Supports educates and inspires LGBT+ young people in London. It offers weekly youth clubs, resources and support for parents/guardians and professionals, and online counselling.
Stonewall
The largest LGBT rights charity in the UK. It offers help and advice for LGBT communities and their allies.
Switchboard
An LGBT+ helpline, staffed by LGBT+ people. It offers information, support and referral service, such as phone and web chat.
Young Minds
A UK charity fighting for the mental health of children and young people. It offers online guides and advice for young people and their parents, free 24/7 UK text messaging support and school training and resources.