This report looks at mental health and well-being of LGBT people and investigates the specific experiences of LGBT people when accessing healthcare services. It is based on the findings of a YouGov survey of over 5,000 lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT) people across England, Scotland and Wales, which asked about their life in Britain today. It looks at the rates of depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions among LGBT people and levels of substance misuse. It also looks at the accessibility of healthcare services and discrimination LGBT people face when seeking medical support. The study identifies high levels of poor mental health among LGBT people compared to the general population and high level of hostility and unfair treatment faced by many LGBT people when accessing healthcare services. In addition, a quarter of LGBT people surveyed also faced a lack of understanding of their specific health needs; a figure that rises to 62 per cent for trans patients. It makes recommendations for better training for all health and social care staff, with specific guidance on how to meet the needs of LGBT patients. It also recommends that NHS England should make mental health a key priority for the new National LGBT Health Adviser.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This report looks at mental health and well-being of LGBT people and investigates the specific experiences of LGBT people when accessing healthcare services. It is based on the findings of a YouGov survey of over 5,000 lesbian, gay, bi and trans (LGBT) people across England, Scotland and Wales, which asked about their life in Britain today. It looks at the rates of depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions among LGBT people and levels of substance misuse. It also looks at the accessibility of healthcare services and discrimination LGBT people face when seeking medical support. The study identifies high levels of poor mental health among LGBT people compared to the general population and high level of hostility and unfair treatment faced by many LGBT people when accessing healthcare services. In addition, a quarter of LGBT people surveyed also faced a lack of understanding of their specific health needs; a figure that rises to 62 per cent for trans patients. It makes recommendations for better training for all health and social care staff, with specific guidance on how to meet the needs of LGBT patients. It also recommends that NHS England should make mental health a key priority for the new National LGBT Health Adviser.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
LGBT people, health care, mental health problems, substance misuse, access to services, discrimination, surveys;
Joint report from Stonewall and the UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group (UKLGIG) which investigates the experiences of LGBT asylum seekers seeking asylum due to persecution for their sexual orientation or gender identity. Researchers conducted 22 interviews with LGBT asylum seekers who had been held in UK detention centres. Interviews covered their experiences with staff and other detainees, their physical and emotional well-being in detention, and access to legal and health services. Participants were from 11 different countries in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and Russia. The research found that LGBT asylum seekers are particularly vulnerable in immigration detention and experience discrimination, harassment and violence from other detainees and from members of staff. The detention environment has serious long-term effects on their mental and physical well-being. The LGBT asylum seekers interviewed felt forced to hide their identity, for fear of abuse. Detainees who were known to be LGBT were bullied, harassed or physically attacked by other detainees, and victims said they did not feel protected by detention staff. Interviewees also reported being denied access to medication, such as anti-depressants and HIV-drugs. Direct quotations from the interviews are included throughout. The findings show that staff are ill-equipped to meet the needs of LGBT people or to protect them from harassment from fellow detainees. The report makes recommendations, including for the Home Office to implement alternatives to detention and the provision of guidance and training for staff in immigration and removal centres to enable them to identify and tackle homophobia, biphobia and transphobia.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Joint report from Stonewall and the UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group (UKLGIG) which investigates the experiences of LGBT asylum seekers seeking asylum due to persecution for their sexual orientation or gender identity. Researchers conducted 22 interviews with LGBT asylum seekers who had been held in UK detention centres. Interviews covered their experiences with staff and other detainees, their physical and emotional well-being in detention, and access to legal and health services. Participants were from 11 different countries in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and Russia. The research found that LGBT asylum seekers are particularly vulnerable in immigration detention and experience discrimination, harassment and violence from other detainees and from members of staff. The detention environment has serious long-term effects on their mental and physical well-being. The LGBT asylum seekers interviewed felt forced to hide their identity, for fear of abuse. Detainees who were known to be LGBT were bullied, harassed or physically attacked by other detainees, and victims said they did not feel protected by detention staff. Interviewees also reported being denied access to medication, such as anti-depressants and HIV-drugs. Direct quotations from the interviews are included throughout. The findings show that staff are ill-equipped to meet the needs of LGBT people or to protect them from harassment from fellow detainees. The report makes recommendations, including for the Home Office to implement alternatives to detention and the provision of guidance and training for staff in immigration and removal centres to enable them to identify and tackle homophobia, biphobia and transphobia.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
LGBT people, asylum seekers, staff, custodial institutions, discrimination, sexual orientation discrimination, harassment, access to services, health needs, mental health problems;