The numbers don’t lie — and neither do the scars left behind. A groundbreaking report has revealed that adults in England and Wales who identify as LGB+ are more than twice as likely to die by suicide or self-harm compared to their heterosexual peers. For Black LGB+ people, the risk skyrockets to nearly five times higher. The figures, published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), have shaken the community and ignited calls for urgent action.
A Bleak Picture for Queer Mental Health
The data, collected between 2021 and 2023, shows that people aged 16 and over who identify as LGB+ face a suicide risk 2.2 times higher than straight adults. When it comes to self-harm, the risk rises to 2.5 times. Bisexual individuals are hit the hardest within the community, with a staggering 2.8 times higher risk of self-harm compared to heterosexual people.
But the numbers become even more chilling when race and gender enter the conversation. Black LGB+ people have a suicide risk 4.7 times higher than their straight counterparts — a horrifying reminder of how racism and homophobia can collide in deadly ways. Women in the LGB+ community also face disproportionate danger, with a 3.1 times higher suicide risk than heterosexual women.
Why the Silence is Deadly
While the ONS was careful to note that sexuality itself isn’t necessarily a direct cause of suicide or self-harm, the systemic barriers and discrimination faced by LGBTQ people undoubtedly contribute to their vulnerability. This isn’t just about statistics — this is about a society that too often turns its back on queer people in crisis.
Healthcare systems that don’t reflect queer realities. A lack of safe mental health support. Racial inequality compounding queer suffering. It’s all part of the picture. Jacqui Morrissey from Samaritans didn’t mince words: “Urgent action is needed across healthcare to tackle the barriers that LGBTQ+ people face to getting the support they really need. Government can no longer drag its feet; lives depend on getting this right.”
A Call for Change — And Accountability
This landmark study marks the first time the UK has gathered this kind of data. It’s about time — but awareness without action is just another empty gesture. The LGBTQ community deserves better than being treated as a statistical footnote. These lives are real, vibrant, and full of potential that should never end in tragedy.
Queer people — especially Black, young, and female-identifying individuals — are not just at risk because of who they are. They are at risk because of how society treats them. The numbers scream what the community has always known: representation isn’t enough without protection, visibility isn’t enough without resources, and pride isn’t enough without policy.
The government’s next move? We’re watching. And so are thousands of queer people in desperate need of hope, support, and life-saving care.