Quarter of young gays
'have tried suicide'
By Deric Henderson,
belfasttelegraph.co.uk from the Web, March 29, 2006
A quarter of young gay or bisexual
men in Northern Ireland have attempted suicide, new mental health research has
revealed.
Nearly two-thirds considered killing themselves and 30% self-harmed, a survey
disclosed.
The scale of the hidden emotional torment among non-heterosexual men, aged under
25, emerged in findings in advance of a major national conference in Belfast
which will consider calls on the Government to fund training and resources on
different sexual orientations to all professionals working with young people,
including teachers, youth workers and health and social services staff.
Three years of research among 190 young men which was carried out by the Rainbow
Project revealed one-third were diagnosed as having a mental illness at some
time in their lives with almost as many having had a potential psychiatric
disorder.
A quarter had attempted suicide; over two-thirds thought about taking their own
lives while four out of five who had suicidal thoughts indicated they were
related to same sex attraction.
Among the key factors which contributed to suicidal thoughts and self harm were
homonegative experiences in school, bullying, homophobia from other pupils and
neighbours.
According to the survey, different factors which affected their mental health
were:
* Difficulties in accepting their sexuality;
* A shortage of people who understood what they were going through;
* Homophobia at home, within society and at schools, even among teaching staff.
* Loneliness and isolation.
The findings will be debated at a conference in Belfast tomorrow be to opened by
the Chief Commissioner of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, Bob
Collins.
The research entitled 'Out on Your Own' claimed blatant homophobia and negative
attitudes within many families resulting in young gays moving away.
Outside the houses, the same attitudes were widespread throughout Northern
Ireland.
Repeated instances of homophobia had a negative affect on their mental health,
and the survey claimed the needs of young same sex attracted men were currently
not being met.
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