Blog: LGBT+, COVID-19 and mental health

COVID-19 has meant it’s a pretty scary time to be a human. Add into the mix being LGBT+, Black, disabled and/or a woman and life can be even more difficult. And because of prejudice and discrimination, people from the LGBT+ community are more likely to experience mental health problems. In the wider community, around 1 in 4 people are affected by mental ill health. But in the LGBT+ community these figures can be as high as 70%, with trans people – and in particular young trans people – significantly over-represented (41% having attempted to end their lives). Meanwhile, over the past 10 years dedicated LGBT+ services have been devastated by austerity. Since the start of the pandemic, some of our community have had to move back home to families they have not yet come out to. Some of us are living with people we know to be homophobic, biphobic or transphobic. Some of us may be victims of domestic abuse. Many of us do not feel safe where we are living at the moment. Research by the LGBT Foundation during lockdown showed that 8% of LGBT+ people did not feel safe. This rose to 15% of disabled LGBT+ people, 17% of trans people and 17% of non-binary people. Many LGBT+ people rely on LGBT+ communities and spaces for vital support, understanding and friendship. COVID-19 restrictions have meant that we haven’t been able to socialise or communicate with our own community. This can affect our mental health and make our lives miserable and very depressing. Isolation can be ano...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - Category: Food Science Authors: Tags: Blogs equality LGBT Mental health matters Source Type: news