A new survey has found LGBTQIA+ people in Australia are two to four times more likely to experience mental illness than the general population.
The survey found 50.3% of LGBTQIA+ people have experienced anxiety disorders in the past year, compared to 15.9% of heterosexual people. Depression, bipolar and dysthymia (affective disorders) are four times more likely to affect LGBTQIA+ people than the general population.
The survey also found LGBTQIA+ people are more likely to experience systemic violence, which is a major contributor to poor mental health outcomes.
This is the first time data on the mental health of LGBTQIA+ people has been collected in a national survey.
Nicky Bath, LGBTIQ+ Health Australia Chief Executive described the survey results as dire, but unsurprising.
“We are in a state of crisis in relation to mental health burdens,” Ms Bath said.
“[The] stress of discrimination and stigma is a significant burden for LGBTQIA+ people”.
Jacob Thomas, a researcher at Monash University focusing on LGBTQIA+ health and wellbeing, echoed Ms Bath’s sentiments.
“We’re sick because of homophobia, because of transphobia and exclusion,” they said.
“With the current narrative and experience of mental health discourse in Australia, we’re a bit screwed.”
Thomas pointed out the lack of mandatory training on LGBTQIA+ health for healthcare workers, such as GPs and psychologists, as well as the dearth of overall data on the community.
“We miss the opportunity for a wider narrative by way of the lack of data,” they said, outlining the need for better data capture in order to provide necessary services and funding.
The Australian government recently announced the establishment of a national expert advisory group on LGBTQIA+ health to develop a long-term plan to address the needs of the LGBTQIA+ community.