Better mental health services for LGBT people needed, say RCN members

Mental health services for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people need to improve, RCN congress has heard.

Stewart Attridge, of the RCN’s Cardiff and Vale branch, told the congress in Bournemouth that gay men are four times more likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual men.

During a debate on a resolution calling on congress to lobby for improved mental health services for LGBT patients, RCN London member Prasuna Kadel said one of her friends committed suicide because he could not express himself as gay.

She called on all members to support the resolution, saying: ‘This type of resolution can be a great example for developing countries where they are hesitant to talk about different sexualities.’

Gary Roberts, of the RCN Highland branch in Scotland and chair of a Highland LGBT forum charity, said mental health services in rural settings are ‘severely under crisis’.

Members voted by 94.8% (422 members) to 5.2% (23 members), with 16 abstentions, to support the resolution.