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Well Issue 3: Autumn/Winter 2003/04
INCLUSION Project
INCLUSION is a two-year project, jointly funded by the Scottish Executive and the National Programme, which sets out to address the health needs and experiences of people who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender (LGBT).
The INCLUSION project, housed within the voluntary sector body Stonewall Scotland, follows on from the Executive's work on black and ethnic minority communities' health, and is committed to extending the principles of
Fair For All to all excluded groups in the new white paper for health "Partnership for Care".
The first of its kind in Europe, the INCLUSION project has already reviewed a wide range of available literature on LGBT health (available in September 2003) and is in the process of carrying out a "stocktake" of current NHS action in relation to NHS employees who are LGBT, where health policy and activity target the needs of these groups, and how NHS Boards can be supported to take this agenda forward.
Alastair Pringle is INCLUSION project manager: "Anxiety and depression, self-harm, suicide and attempted suicide have all been linked with the combined effects of experiencing prejudice and discrimination from being LGBT which is why we're focusing very much on mental health," he says.
"LGBT people already face a number of barriers from an early age because of their sexual orientation or gender identity and, as many of them hide this part of their identity, it obviously impacts on their self-esteem. This is then exacerbated by a reluctance to access services for fear of stigma and homophobia.
"Those that do are often then faced with questions like "Are you married or single?" or "Male or female?" These questions assume or presume somebody's sexual orientation or gender identity, but they don't always apply to LGBT people and simply make it more difficult for them to express themselves. We're working to change simple things like this in the way the NHS is run."
Research is also underway looking at rural issues, general LGBT issues and the first national health needs assessment of transgender people. Bullying is another key area for attention, and although most UK schools now embrace an anti-bullying policy, only 6% of them have homophobic policies.
Alastair believes that these issues have up until now been largely ignored or neglected by public policy planning and provision of services, with institutional homophobia and heterosexism largely to blame.
"It's not enough to simply develop an LGBT-friendly and accessible health service.
We need to work across all public sectors especially within the education system to deal with the root causes of the problem."
Demonstration activity to look at how health service provision, accessibility, staff knowledge and awareness can be improved commenced in five Health Board areas in June this year. This will be written into guidance and recommendations for the NHS in Scotland by October 2004, and used to inform a programme to improve and reform health service practice for the LGBT community.
Alastair Pringle
INCLUSION
Tel: 0141 204 0746
Email:info@lgbthealthscotland.org.uk
ONE UK SURVEY OF 4,000 LGBT PEOPLE FOUND THAT: 34% of men and 24% of women had experienced violence because of their sexuality 32% had been harassed in the last five years 73% had been called names because of their sexuality studies suggest that between 20%-50% of LGBT people attempt suicide
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LGBT GROUP - PILLAR ABERDEEN Pillar Aberdeen is a small voluntary organisation offering drop-in sessions and a range of groups and activities for people who have, or have had, mental health problems. The centre is also one of the few organisations in Scotland to offer a support group for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community. The LGBT group meets every Sunday and is hosted by Susan Wright, one of Pillar's relief workers, and co-facilitated by PHACE Scotland (Promoting Health and Challenging Exclusion). "The LGBT Group provides a safe and supportive environment where people can come and discuss issues and mental health needs in a relaxed and confidential environment," says Susan. "We have a core group of about eight members with others floating in and out. There's no set agenda - it depends entirely on what the members want to talk about, but they know they can talk completely openly about problems and anxieties, or access information and advice on Gay and Lesbian issues. We also invite speakers occasionally, such as the LGBT police liaison officer." Pillar was recently awarded a City of Aberdeen Council Equal Opportunities Award for its work involving the LGBT community, recognising its positive contribution to an ever-marginalised group. Pillar also received the Grampian Gay Men's Health Project Award for a "Volunteer Organisation Promoting LGBT Equality and Challenging Discrimination" for its work in founding and supporting their LGBT Group. One member had this to say: "The Group provides a completely safe environment where we can chat about anything without being judged. If we're having problems there's always someone there to help or advise." Moira Watson, Pillar Aberdeen
Tel: 01224 621266
Email:info@pillaraberdeen.co.uk
www.pillaraberdeen.co.uk
www.phacescotland.org |
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