Sexual minorities such as lesbian, gay, and bisexual people are more than twice as likely to suffer long-term mental health problems as straight people, according to a study by the British National Health Service (NHS).
In a UK health survey conducted between 2011 and 2018, about 2% said they were lesbian, gay or bisexual. Human rights groups said the findings "confirmed that the problem of health inequality among LGBT people has become chronic."
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In the fall of 2008, I was locked up in a military mental hospital.'
Of the adults surveyed for eight years, 1,132 (2%) were found to be lesbian, gay or bisexual. There were no specific questions about gender transition status or gender identity in the survey, but whether to include them in the future is under consideration for future research.
The survey found that about 16% of LGBT respondents had long-term mental problems or behavioral disorders. In the case of straight people, this rate was only 6%.
Sexual minorities had lower average mental health scores than heterosexuals, especially female sexual minorities, which were the lowest among all groups. They were found to be more likely to drink than the recommended amount.
One in three LGBTQ adults was drinking about 14 units of alcohol a week (about two bottles of soju). One in four adult heterosexuals answered that they drink the same amount of alcohol. This means that LGBTQs "have a higher risk of alcohol-related problems" than heterosexuals.
The rate of not drinking alcohol was similar for whites even if their gender identity was different, but LGBTQs were more likely to drink than heterosexuals in minority ethnic groups, the survey showed. Sexual minorities were even more likely to smoke. One in three LGBT women was a smoker, but heterosexual women accounted for one in six.
However, sexual minorities are less likely to be overweight. The proportion of people who are overweight or obese was found to be two out of three in heterosexuals, but only half of the LGBTQ population.
Eloise Stoneboro, deputy director of policy research at the campaign group Stonewall, said, "This survey has confirmed chronic health inequality problems such as the high rate of mental illness among LGBT people," adding, "It emphasizes the problem of health inequality that has been alienated in our society."
"It's important to understand the health differences between lesbian, gay and bisexual people for NHS to provide health care for all. To continue collecting relevant data, all health services must monitor and report on the health of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people."
The study was based on a sample of representative groups aged 16 or older who participated in a health survey from 2011 to 2018 by the National Center for Social Research for Digital, the British National Health Service.
In addition, the analysis results support previous studies that some health indicators appear worse for LGBTQs.
According to a report by the LGBT Foundation, one in six LGBTQs said they drank almost every day during 2017. The proportion of LGBTQ people suffering from depression was more than half, far exceeding about 20% of all respondents.
Writer: Ellie Kim
(Picture from Unsplash)
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