Gay and bisexual men are four times more likely to commit suicide than the rest of the population and LGBT people are 50 per cent more likely to develop depression and anxiety than the rest of the population.1
LGBT people continue to report stigma and discrimination when trying to access mental health support.
“Ongoing and pervasive messaging hurts us… we hear the damaging message that our lives are smaller, sadder and shorter than our straight, cisgender peers.”
- Quote from a submission to the London Assembly Health Committee investigation into LGBT mental health.
Mayor Sadiq Khan’s election manifesto pledged to:
- Lead a campaign to break down the stigma of mental illness, particularly amongst LGBT people and young Black Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) men.2
- Coordinate efforts to reduce the number of people who take their own lives and expand best practice in crisis care support.2
- Promote acceptance of gender diversity and work with the LGBT community, schools, the Met and other bodies to highlight and challenge transphobia.2
How is the Mayor going to deliver on his promises to support better mental health outcomes for LGBT people in London? What can he do within his power to reduce this major health inequality?
The London Assembly Health Committee is holding an LGBT mental health roundtable event at City Hall on Tuesday 25 October. The purpose is to gather views, in order to make a series of recommendations to the Mayor.
Location: London’s Living Room
Date and time: 9:00-13:00, Tuesday 25 October
Address: City Hall, The Queen’s Walk, More London, London, SE1 2AA
Spokespeople available for interview:
- Dr Onkar Sahota AM, Chair of the Health Committee
- Dr Antoine Rogers, Principal Lecturer in Sociology, London South Bank University
- Michelle Ross, Co-Founder, CliniQ
- Matthew Todd, Editorial Director, Attitude Magazine and Author of ‘Straight Jacket - How To Be Gay and Happy’
- Dr Greg Ussher, Chief Executive, METRO Charity
- Alessandro Storer, Equality Improvement Manager, Mind
- Dr Justin Varney, National Lead for Adult Health and Wellbeing, Public Health England
- Councillor Sarah Hayward, Member, London Health Board
Closest Stations: London Bridge or Tower Hill
MEDIA ARE INVITED TO ATTEND – Please RSVP with the details below.
The meeting can also be viewed via webcast.
Follow us @LondonAssembly and take part in the discussion using #AssemblyHealth and #LGBTMentalHealth
Notes to editors
- Rethink Mental Illness Fact Sheet
- Sadiq Khan for London: A Manifesto for all Londoners
- London Assembly Health Committee
- Map of City Hall location
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Lisa Lam on 020 7983 4067. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.