A guidance document and a training resource to support mental health services staff working with LGBTQIA+ service users will be published this morning. The material will offer "clear and accessible guidance" to mental health professionals on how to meet the needs of LGBTQIA+ individuals accessing services, according to the Mental Health Commission (MHC). The aim is to promote "a deeper understanding" of the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ people and to improve service-user experiences across Ireland's mental health system.
The guidance – which will be released at the LGBT Ireland National Conference this morning – is based on an evidence review, commissioned by the MHC. The review highlighted the disproportionate levels of mental distress and unmet needs among the LGBTQIA+ community – especially among young people and transgender individuals. It found there were higher rates of suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and self-injury among LGBTQIA+ people.
Other issues that came to the fore included increased prevalence of anxiety, depression – including perinatal depression – and eating disorders, particularly among sexual minorities. Guidance 'practical, much-needed' MHC Chief Executive John Farrelly described the guidance document as a response to the reality, which is that many LGBTQIA+ people face significant mental health challenges that may not always be adequately addressed. Research including the Being LGBTQI+ In Ireland and My LGBTI+ Voice Matters studies, have demonstrated that LGBTQIA+ individuals experience a higher burden of mental health difficulties compared to the general population, according to the MHC.
LGBT Ireland CEO Paula Fagan welcomed the guidance which she described as "practical" and "much-needed". She said that the 'Being LGBTQI+ in Ireland' study showed that mental health outcomes for LGBTQIA+ individuals have worsened in recent years, with significant rises in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. "This document is a vital step toward changing that trajectory by equipping staff with the tools and awareness they need to treat LGBTQIA+ service users with dignity, understanding and respect," she said.
Minister of State for Mental Health Mary Butler welcomed the guidance and training resource to support a more inclusive approach. She said: "Everyone who uses a mental health service should feel confident that they can access services which are inclusive, compassionate and completely non-judgmental. "I encourage all those who deliver and work in mental health services to implement the important and practical steps contained in the guidance."
