On World Mental Health day I took part in the launch of Out but not left the report of a research project into mental health service provision for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals living in Leeds.

This is a very important piece of research with local and national implications. In many ways it confirms what we probably already know or suspect, but it’s still shocking. There is clearly a high rate of mental health problems amongst this community, with a particularly high rate of self-harm and suicidal thoughts.

As well as looking at the experiences of individual service users, the research sent questionnaires to organisations delivering services. One of the most striking findings is that while 91% of services reported that ‘LGB clients had accessed their service’ only 47% asked service users about their sexual orientation and only 35% recorded information on sexual orientation… so how do they know??!!

The highlight was an inspiring speech from veteran human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell. He declared this ‘a pioneering study’ and said that mental health is ‘the big elephant in the room of the lgbt community, that nobody is acknowledging.’ He listed numerous reasons why lesbians and gays may develop mental health problems: guilt and fear; rejection; homophobic bullying, threats and violence; discriminatory laws and institutions, and reconciling one’s own faith and culture with one’s sexual orientation. I knew from general press coverage that Tatchell has been targeted over the years, both in the media (continually) and with personal abuse and attacks. I was gobsmacked, however, to hear that his home has been attacked more than 150 times, and he has been beaten up on the street more than 300 times. He now has ‘minor brain damage’ and blurred vision from being beaten up in Brussels by Robert Mugabe’s bodyguards, and has gone through bouts of severe depression. He has remarkable courage and resilience to keep going in the face of such an extraordinary level of intimidation.

The event was chaired by poet and survivor Clare Shaw. Chris Butler, Chief Executive of Leeds Mental Health Trust spoke about his own experiences, and of the trust’s commitment to continual improvement. The report makes three key recommendations:

1. Increase awareness (among service providers) of the specific needs of the lgb community

2. Increase awareness of service provision available to the lgb community

3. Make mental health services more accessible to lgb individuals

Inevitably there were questions left unanswered, and a strong case for a larger research project.

It’s important that mental health organisations, from all sectors, examine this report closely to see where we can improve.

Rob Cook