- Conference
- 2013 National LGBT Conference
- Date
- 23 July 2013
- Decision
- Carried as Amended
Conference notes that:
1. One in four people experience mental health issues at some point in their lives, but there is still a lot of stigma associated with mental health impairments, making many people unwilling to disclose mental health issues in the workplace;
2. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people still face high levels of bullying and harassment and discrimination which are likely to increase their rates of mental health issues;
3. The current context of increasing stress, due to cuts, austerity measures and excessive workloads is likely to increase the number of LGBT people experiencing mental health issues; and
4. It is important that the provision of appropriate support for LGBT people experiencing mental health issues takes account of LGBT lifestyles and does not assume heterosexuality.
Conference welcomes the ongoing work of the Scottish Trades Union Congress General Council in reporting the impact of cuts on LGBT people.
Conference instructs the National LGBT Committee to campaign for increased awareness of mental health issues and how they affect LGBT people and the provision of appropriate support. This should include:
A. Promoting LGBT aspects of mental health issues during Mental Health Week;
B. Raising awareness of mental ill-health as a workplace issue and ensure campaigns address the specific concerns of LGBT members;
C. Identifying and circulating good practice by branches and regions in supporting LGBT people with mental health issues;
D. Encouraging the provision of training in mental health equality issues and how they affect LGBT people for health and safety and equality reps;
E. Drawing up and circulating to branches and regions guidelines for proactive measures to support LGBT people with mental health issues in the workplace.