Newly released census data from England and Wales reveals that people who self-identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or another sexual minority group experience higher all-cause mortality than those who identify as heterosexual, and that the disparity is especially pronounced for those in the 25-34 age bracket. Alcohol-related deaths were 1.8 times higher among the LGB+ population and drug-related deaths 2.8 times higher. The rate of suicide was 2.2 times higher and intentional self-harm 2.5 times higher; those identifying as bisexual were particularly prone to self-harm. The 2021 census is the first to include a voluntary question on sexual identity such that this type of analysis is possible. These alarming figures point to the greater needs of these communities for mental health support.
Higher Mortality Rates for LGB+
