Alarming new data reveals the sexual orientation at highest risk of self harm – triple the average
Bisexual adults are almost three times more likely to suffer self-harm than their heterosexual peers, alarming new data today suggested.
The risk among those who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB) was ‘particularly high’ compared to those who identified as straight, figures showed.
But this was 2.8 times higher among those who identified as bisexual and 2.4 times higher for those who were gay or lesbian, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Among the UK population as a whole, the risk of suicide for people identifying as LGB was also 2.2 times higher than those who identify as heterosexual.
Experts said the statistics gave ‘new’ and ‘valuable’ insights into ‘this important topic’ but could not explain why this was the case.
Emma Sharland, from the ONS health research group, said: ‘We hope today’s analysis will provide valuable insight for those concerned with self-harm and suicide prevention.’
The survey focused exclusively on sexual identity and no data was collected for those who identify as transgender, or non-binary.
It is the first time the ONS has calculated how estimated rates of self-harm and suicide differ by sexual orientation.
The risk of self harm among Britons who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB) was ‘particularly high’ compared to those who identified as straight, figures showed
Figures for self-harm were based on hospital admissions and A&E attendances, while death registrations were used for instances of suicide.
The data, based on the 2021 Census of England and Wales, found that compared to those identifying as straight, the risk of self-harm was 2.5 times higher among LGB people.
The rate stood at 2.2 times higher for those who selected ‘other sexual orientation’.
It also differed by sex, with LGB women at a 2.8 times higher risk, compared to 1.9 times higher for men.
The rate of suicide, meanwhile, was roughly double for the LGB population, compared to heterosexuals.
By sex, women were also at a significantly higher risk — 3.1 times higher with LGB women compared to 1.8 times higher for LGB men.
But statisticians said they could not explain why rates were higher among those who identify as LGB and did not mean that sexual orientation was a risk factor for intentional self-harm and suicide.
The ONS data found that compared to those identifying as straight, risk of intentional self-harm was 2.5 times higher among LGB people. It also differed by sex, with LGB females at a 2.8 times higher risk compared to 1.9 times higher for men
The rate of suicide was recorded as r oughly 50.3 per 100,000 people among the LGB population compared to 23.1 per 100,000 among heterosexuals
Previous research, however, has suggested that gay, lesbian and bisexual people are more than twice as likely as straight people to experience suicidal thoughts or self-harm.
Depression, anxiety and experiences of discrimination or bullying could contribute in part to these increased risks, scientists say.
One recent study by researchers at University College London (UCL) found one in five lesbian or gay adults had experienced homophobic discrimination within the past year.
At the time, study lead author Dr Alexandra Pitman, associate professor in psychiatry at UCL, said: ‘While national surveys of British attitudes towards same-sex relationships suggest that society has become more tolerant of people who are gay, lesbian or bisexual, there is clearly a long way to go.’
It comes as figures released earlier this year in January show more young adults than ever in the UK are now identifying as LGB.
The proportion of 16 to 24-year-olds who are LGB has almost quadrupled in a decade and now stands at over one in 10.
Roughly 10.5 per cent of Gen Z identified as LGB in 2023, up from just 2.8 per cent in 2014 and 4.4 per cent in 2018.
Across the UK population as a whole, an estimated 3.8 per cent of those aged over 16 identified as LGB, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) — the equivalent of 2.1 million Brits.
This is up over a million since 2018, when the figure stood at 2.2 per cent, meaning it has almost doubled.
UK: For help and support, call the Samaritans for free from a UK phone, completely anonymously, on 116 123 or go to samaritans.org.
US: If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org.
