LGBT Health and Wellbeing

Mental Health Stigma and Discrimination in the LGBT Community 

LGBT people are more likely to experience a mental health problem than the wider population. This is because LGBT people experience bullying, rejection, stigma and discrimination which too often lead to low self-esteem, depression, anxiety and isolation. This can have a big impact on your wellbeing and can make it hard to find help when you're struggling.

With sexual orientation, gender identity and mental health issues there can be multiple forms of stigma and discrimination, making it even harder to talk about it.

To help tackle this we've been working in partnership with LGBT Health and Wellbeing to run an action pilot delivered over three years. 

Our Work with LGBT Health and Wellbeing

LGBT Health and Wellbeing promotes the health of LGBT people in Scotland.

Due to the high prevalence of poor mental health in LGBT communities, the organisation’s work is largely focused on promoting mental and emotional wellbeing.

As well as being the key organisation in Scotland providing support to LGBT adults, LGBT Health and Wellbeing also works to raise awareness and increase understanding of the lived experience and needs of LGBT people.

We're excited to be working collaboratively with them to reduce mental health stigma and discrimination within the LGBT community, and reduce the multiple stigma and discrimination experienced by LGBT people more widely in society.

How?

To do this we've been supporting LGBT Health and Wellbeing to recruit and train LGBT community champions who are raising awareness of mental health stigma and discrimination within their communities and wider society. The first cohort of See Me Proud community champions have already attended big events like Pride and the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival, and have developed and delivered training to future champions.

What Next?

The aim is to support more champion led activity within the LGBT community in Scotland, raise awareness about mental health stigma and discrimination and encourage others to take part in the conversation. The See Me Proud champions will also be actively involved in events throughout the year to provide information and resources.