MHFA England courses to include LGBT+ and BAME statistics



As part of its commitment to creating diverse and inclusive communities and workplaces, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England will now be including specific statistics on LGBT+ and BAME (Black, Asian and minority ethnic) mental health across course materials.

Research continues to highlight a disproportionate level of mental ill health in the LGBT+ and BAME communities compared to the general population. MHFA England will be making new inclusions to ensure its training materials are drawing focus to the increased risk of mental ill health experienced within these groups.

Some of the statistics include: 

  • People who identify as LGBT+ are more likely to attempt suicide than those who do not identify as LGBT+.
  • Mental health issues are more likely to affect young people who identify as LGBT+ than those who do not.
  • 11% - 32% of young people who identify as LGBT+ have attempted suicide in their lifetime.
  • Symptoms of depression are more common and severe in young people who identify as LGBT+ than in those who do not.
  • Psychosis is more common among BAME groups than the general population.
  • Young people from BAME and migrant backgrounds are more likely to show developmental difficulties associated with psychosis and develop psychotic disorders later in life than the general population.

     

The announcement comes ahead of MHFA England’s participation in Pride in London and UK Black Pride on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th July. Employees, Instructor Members, celebrities, and friends of the organisation will be marching through London for the 50th anniversary of the Pride movement.

MHFA England will also be hosting a chill out zone for UK Black Pride 2019, where participants can sit and take a moment away from the main event to relax and decompress.

Simon Blake OBE, Chief Executive of MHFA England says:

“The LGBT+ and BAME communities continue to experience disproportionate levels of anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts. Educating and increasing awareness by including these statistics in our courses is an important first step to tackling these disparities, but there is still a long way to go. 

“At MHFA England we are committed to eliminating all inequalities in mental health, which is why we will be marching once again at Pride in London and hosting a zone at UK Black Pride for the first time. 

“These statistics simply should not exist, so we will continue to march, break down stigma, and talk about mental health with pride until they no longer do.”

You can find more information and further reading on LGBT+ and BAME mental health on our mental health statistics page.