“LGBT+ Britons are more likely to suffer with mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and insomnia, a new YouGov survey shows. Over the last 12 months, half of LGBT+ Britons (51%) say they experienced or were diagnosed with a mental health condition, compared to a third of the general population (32%).”
Source: YouGov
We are using this Pride season to encourage everyone to Check-in with Pride. So, we’re pledging to start more conversations about mental health, and supporting the Check-in with Pride Campaign.
Whether you are in Batley, Mirfield or Golcar, Good mental health is an ongoing journey for many people, but for LGBTQ+ people that journey can be more challenging.
“Integrating the findings of population-based studies conducted over the last 20 years, this meta-analysis found an overall higher risk for mental disorders in sexual minority people compared with heterosexuals.
Both lesbian/gay and bisexual people had a higher risk for all examined diagnostic categories than heterosexual people. When comparing bisexual people to lesbian/gay people, bisexual people had a higher risk for depression and suicidality.”
Source: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/acps.13405
We can all do more to break down the stigma around talking about mental health, starting with the people around us. You can ask: How are you feeling? Is there anything you would like to talk about? (Learn about having mental health conversations from Mind).
Check-in with Pride aims to foster a more inclusive and compassionate environment, and better support our LGBTQ+ friends, family, work mates, neighbours and chosen families.
Together we can normalise conversations about mental health, and in doing so support more people who are struggling. You can find more information on how to check-in with someone, details of free suicide prevention training, and links to support services at CheckInWithPride.co.uk.
Check-in with Pride is part of the award-winning ‘Check-In’ campaign (staffcheck-in.co.uk) by West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership.
Since its launch in 2020 hundreds of organisations have signed up to normalise conversations about mental health.