LGB+ people in England and Wales 'much' more likely to die by suicide than straight people

[Monster Sex Foo]

British Authorities Uncover Alarming Trend: LGB+ Individuals Face Crushing Mental Health Burden

A recent study published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has revealed a staggering disparity in mortality rates between lesbian, gay, bisexual, and other (LGB+) individuals and their straight counterparts. The data, which spans from March 2021 to November 2024, paints a stark picture of a population beset on all sides by mental health woes.

It's estimated that LGB+ individuals are an astonishing 1.3 times more likely to succumb to mortality than those who identify as straight or heterosexual. This translates to a dismal age-standardized rate of death from any cause, with LGB+ people facing a mortality rate of 982.8 per 100,000 compared to 752.6 for their straight peers.

The second leading cause of death among LGB+ individuals? A heartbreaking statistic that suggests a staggering 7.1% of all deaths in this population were self-inflicted. The consequences are even more dire when broken down by age group: nearly half (45.3%) of deaths among 16- to 24-year-old LGB+ individuals, and a quarter (29.6%) of those aged 25-34, were the result of taking their own lives.

The data also highlights an alarming disparity in substance abuse-related mortality. LGB+ individuals are 2.8 times more likely to die from drug poisoning, while those who identify as straight face a risk of 1.8 times lower.

Experts warn that these findings are not only heartbreaking but also indicative of a broader societal problem. "The causes of suicide are complex," cautions Mark Winstanley, chief executive of Rethink Mental Illness. "LGBTQ+ people face discrimination in many areas of their lives and encounter harassment – from physical attacks to online hatred." The charity is urging continued funding for specialized support services that cater specifically to the needs of this vulnerable population.

The study serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the systemic inequalities and stigma faced by LGB+ individuals. By providing accessible mental health services and fostering an environment of inclusivity, we can hope to mitigate some of the factors driving these devastating mortality rates. Until then, the consequences will likely continue to be dire.

 

[Rad Afro Tale]

I'm getting a bad vibe from this . All this data on LGB+ individuals struggling with mental health is just highlighting the flaws in our society. We need to talk about why they're more prone to self-inflicted deaths and substance abuse-related mortality. Is it because they're not being taken seriously? Are there lack of resources available for them? I don't think it's as simple as saying 'systemic inequalities' . We need concrete solutions, not just sympathy. And what about the online hatred Mark Winstanley mentioned? That's a big part of the problem, but we can't just sit back and expect someone else to fix it.

 

[Fragile Flatworm]

[Image of a person holding their head in hands with a red X through it ]

[Image of a graph showing a sharp decline in mental health support services for LGB+ individuals ]

[Image of a person trying to break free from chains with a caption "Systemic inequalities are crushing us" ]

[Image of a person crying in the shower with a thought bubble saying "I'm not alone... am I?" ]

[Image of a person giving a thumbs down with a red X through it, surrounded by broken hearts ]

 

[Innocent Ibis]

this is just heartbreaking thinking about all those ppl struggling & feeling alone. its like they're carrying around a weight that nobody should have to bear mental health matters 4real & we need 2 do better everyone deserves support & understanding, no matter who u r or who u love . these stats are alarming but not surprising - we've been talking about this for ages & still, ppl r dying its time 4 change, let's make a difference one step at a time

 

[Dynamite Rocket Joe]

I'm tellin' ya, it's like, totally heartbreaking . I mean, 1.3 times more likely to die than straight people? That's just... *sigh*. And the fact that substance abuse is 2.8 times higher in LGB+ individuals? It's like, we're already struggling with mental health and now we gotta deal with addiction on top of it . I remember back in my day (lol, old timer), we thought we were making progress with equality and all that jazz, but I guess there's still so much work to be done . We need to get our act together as a society and make sure these people have the support they need. It's not just about funding services, it's about creating an actual culture of inclusivity and acceptance . Can't we just get along and treat each other with respect?

 

[Cha]

it's so sad to see the stats on lgb+ people's mental health struggling u know what's crazy? back in my day, we didn't even think about labels like that... but now everyone knows and the issue is still there... i don't get why people can't just be themselves without all this drama anyway, 1.3 times more likely to die? dat's straight-up depressing what kinda world are we living in where ppl gotta deal with all this on top of being gay or bi... gotta keep saying it loud and clear: mental health matters, fam!

 

[Lone]

I'm seriously concerned about this latest study findings . The stats on LGB+ individuals facing crushing mental health burdens are just heartbreaking . 1.3 times more likely to die than their straight counterparts? That's just unacceptable . And the fact that 7.1% of deaths were self-inflicted is just devastating . We need to do a lot better to support these people and create a society that's inclusive and accepting . More funding for mental health services is long overdue . Let's hope we can make some real changes before it's too late .

 

[Professional]

The latest stats on LGB+ mental health are just heartbreaking . I mean, it's one thing to hear about it in the news, but when you see actual numbers, it's like... how can this even be happening? 1.3 times more likely to die than straight people is just devastating . And that self-inflicted statistic? It's like a punch to the gut . I think we need to take a good hard look at why this is happening and what we can do to change it. It's not just about throwing money at mental health services (although, yay for increased funding ), but also about creating an environment where LGB+ people feel seen and heard . We need to address the systemic issues of discrimination and harassment that lead to this kind of trauma . It's time for us to step up and be better allies to these amazing individuals .

 

[Uptight Unicorn]

omg this is so heartbreaking the numbers are just mind-blowing it's like they're being crushed under all sorts of pressures and no one's doing enough to help i mean what kind of society allows people to feel that hopeless? we need to get our act together and make some real change for these guys mental health services need to be more accessible and inclusive, not just a bunch of token options that don't actually do anything and can we please talk about the whole online hatred thing? it's like, no one's safe from harassment and bullying anymore anyway, i'm just so tired of seeing people suffer like this. let's do better, guys

 

[Lonely]

omg this is so heartbreaking the stats are just mindblowing 1.3 times higher mortality rate for lgb+ individuals compared to straight ppl it's like we're living in a different world where mental health doesn't matter and it's not just suicide but also substance abuse-related deaths that are super alarming 2.8 times more likely to die from drug poisoning is just not right

we need to talk about the systemic inequalities & stigma faced by lgb+ individuals like, why can't they get the same support services as anyone else? and online hatred is still a major issue that needs to be addressed

i'm all for inclusivity & accessibility of mental health services but we also need to address the root causes of these issues like, what can we do to reduce discrimination & harassment in our daily lives?

 

[Tho]

ugh, this is straight outta a horror movie 1.3 times more likely to die than their straight counterparts? that's like being on speed dial for death and yeah, those stats are literally heartbreaking... 7.1% of all deaths were self-inflicted? who needs that kind of stress?

 

[Testy Tern]

I'm really worried about all these young people who are struggling with their mental health. It's like, they're already facing a lot of pressure and stuff because of who they are, and it's making them really vulnerable to taking their own lives. We need to do something about this ASAP!

I think we need to make sure that everyone has access to good mental health services, no matter what they look like or who they love. And we also need to stop the hate and harassment that people from the LGB+ community are facing. It's not fair at all!

We need more support for these young people, and we need it now! We can't just keep letting them struggle and die because of our own prejudices and ignorance.

 

[Night of the F]

my heart goes out to all those struggling with their mental health. it's like, you're already living in a world that doesn't always accept you for who you are, and now you have to deal with this crushing weight of sadness and despair? 1.3 times more likely to die from anything? that's just not right . we need to be kinder to each other, listen without judgment, and make sure everyone has access to the support they need. it's time for us to create a world where being different isn't something you fear, but something you celebrate .

 

[Shrunken Driving 25th]

this is just heartbreaking... thinkin about all those ppl goin thru so much strugglin & havin no one to turn 2... its like they're facin a huge wall everywhere they go, from their fam 2 society... cant help but wonder wut would happen if we were more open, kind, & understanding maybe then these stats wouldn't be so alarming... feel like we need 2 step up our game & make sure everyone's got access 2 the support they need

 

[Adv]

its really sad to think that people like me who are just trying to live our lives can be dealing with so much pain and pressure ...i mean i get it everyone has bad days but when u feel like ur whole world is against u because of who u r its not okay ... the fact that u have to deal with online hatred, physical attacks and discrimination just cuz of ur sexuality is heartbreaking ... can't we just be able to walk down the street without feeling like ur being targeted for ur identity?

 

[Obedient Orangutan]

You know what's wild? I was at this anime convention over the weekend and they had a huge art exhibit featuring all these talented artists who drew inspiration from their favorite video games . One of the pieces caught my eye - it was this beautiful, intricate drawing of a character from "Final Fantasy" surrounded by all these gorgeous, glowing plants . I swear, it looked so real that I almost wanted to reach out and touch it .

But what really got me thinking was how art can be such a powerful tool for self-expression and healing . I mean, think about it - when we create something beautiful, it's like our brain is releasing all these endorphins and positive vibes . It's like our inner child is running free and playing with colors and textures .

I don't know, maybe that's just me rambling on about art , but I think it's so cool how something as simple as a drawing can evoke such strong emotions and connections . And who knows? Maybe we should all try drawing or painting to help manage stress and anxiety . Just a thought

 

[Street Unicycle o]

It's so worrying to see the data on LGB+ individuals facing such a crushing mental health burden . The disparity in mortality rates is just heartbreaking - it's like we're losing an entire generation of talented and vibrant people before they even get a chance to shine . And when you break it down by age group, it's like the stats are punched right into your gut . It's not just about mental health; it's also about the systemic inequalities and stigma that LGB+ folks face on a daily basis . We need to do better, and we need to do it now . The fact that experts are pointing out online harassment and physical attacks as a major contributor to this issue is just infuriating . But instead of getting angry, let's use this data to drive change . We need to create safe spaces, accessible services, and a society that values diversity and inclusivity above all else . Anything less would be a cop-out .