{"title":"\"Our feelings are valid\" - reviewing the lesbian, gay, and bisexual affirmative approaches in a mental health setting.","authors":"Matt Broadway-Horner, Anindya Kar","doi":"10.1080/09540261.2022.2033180","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2022.2033180","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In recent years, although research into support mechanisms for managing distress experienced by Lesbian Gay and Bisexual (LGB) communities has increased. Stigma-related discrimination related to sexual minority status remains. This is further compounded by stigma against mental illnesses thus creating double jeopardy. This review will outline recent discoveries by exploring existing theories highlighting factors that explain health disparities for cisgender LGB people. It appears that the experience of the LGB population and the use of psychological therapies is varied across the spectrum. Some focus upon symptom reduction as part of the experience, but others talk about not being validated. Some mention minority stress constructs, alongside the psychological mediation framework, which offers a potential theoretical understanding of the experiences of the LGB population who receive psychological therapies.</p>","PeriodicalId":306151,"journal":{"name":"International Review of Psychiatry (Abingdon, England)","volume":" ","pages":"376-382"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2022-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"33479934","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Looking into the LGB affirmative therapies over the last fifty years - a mixed method review synthesis.","authors":"Matt Broadway-Horner, Anindya Kar","doi":"10.1080/09540261.2022.2051443","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2022.2051443","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In the past few decades, affirmative therapies for sexual minorities have burgeoned. These are appropriate therapies but often there is a lack of adequate research. We set out to study the research evidence available. For this mixed-methods review, we identified 15 studies looking into the experiences of lesbian, gay and bisexual people in psychological therapies. These included nine qualitative, five quantitative and one mixed method studies. Minority stress hypothesis may explain some of the major difficulties LGB individuals face. Studies showed computer based therapies may reduce or even eliminate unhelpful responses on part of the therapist. Challenges related to confidentiality and privacy in this context remain. Therapists may focus on minority stress but other stressors and not just discrimination may contribute to various mental health problems and their clinical presence. And finally, divergent findings found internalized homophobia may best explain discrimination-based minority stress and that therapist self-disclosure of own sexuality produced better results than the therapists who did not self-disclose. These findings are discussed and future directions for research are identified.</p>","PeriodicalId":306151,"journal":{"name":"International Review of Psychiatry (Abingdon, England)","volume":" ","pages":"392-401"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2022-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"33492052","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dinesh Bhugra, Matt Broadway-Horner, Anindya Kar, Max Pemberton
{"title":"Editorial.","authors":"Dinesh Bhugra, Matt Broadway-Horner, Anindya Kar, Max Pemberton","doi":"10.1080/09540261.2022.2123081","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2022.2123081","url":null,"abstract":"Sexual orientation is a major component as well as a key determinant of the identity of human being. All of us carry multiple identities which have been described as micro-identities (Wachter et al. 2015). Sexuality comprises of innate orientation and identification as being attracted to same sex, opposite sex, both or neither or plurisexual or pansexual. Sexual minorities include gay, lesbian, bisexual, asexual individuals. As there is not a massive amount of research data on asexual individuals for the purposes of this themed issue focus has been on gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals as part of the sexual minorities. Sexual orientation, thus has been shown to be an important vulnerability to psychiatric disorders. Rates of various psychiatric disorders including depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, suicidal acts have been shown to be consistently higher. This has been attributed to minority stress as defined by Meyer. We are aware that mental health and sexual orientation intersect with other issues of personal, cultural and social identity. Furthermore, as most of the research on the topic has come from high-income countries, it is difficult to be certain about the exact numbers and detailed epidemiological data for a number of reasons. These include self-identification, stages of coming out and societal attitudes especially if they are negative and not welcoming. However, this is likely to be around 5% of the population. A recent survey from the USA has suggested that the numbers of people identifying themselves as gay, lesbian or bisexual has increased (Jones 2021). Some exciting findings from Hatzenbuehler et al. (2012, 2013, 2017) have demonstrated clearly that once inequality has been eliminated by changes in law bringing about equal rights including marriage equality, rates of psychiatric morbidity of psychiatric morbidity in these groups tend to fall. This has to be seen in the context of how Bullough (1976) defined cultures as sex-positive (where sex is used as a source of pleasure) and sex-negative cultures (where sexual act is used for procreative purposes). It needs to be emphasised that although term community is often used for this group, like any other group there remains a major degree of diversity with each individual member with distinct and unique experiences, upbringing, cultural factors including responses to their own sexual orientation, processes and stages of coming out which can generate varying responses from others including healthcare professionals. Not surprisingly negative attitudes by the healthcare professionals will lead to delays in help-seeking and engagement thereby contributing to negative outcomes. The mental healthcare needs of individuals especially across various vulnerable minority groups differ and must be taken into account in any healthcare as well as policy development. More importantly health cannot be seen in isolation from education, employment, housing, justice etc. Improving access and re","PeriodicalId":306151,"journal":{"name":"International Review of Psychiatry (Abingdon, England)","volume":" ","pages":"169-170"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2022-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"33480324","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mattia Marchi, Elisa Arcolin, Gianluca Fiore, Antonio Travascio, Daniele Uberti, Francesco Amaddeo, Manlio Converti, Andrea Fiorillo, Massimo Mirandola, Federica Pinna, Antonio Ventriglio, Gian Maria Galeazzi
{"title":"Self-harm and suicidality among LGBTIQ people: a systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Mattia Marchi, Elisa Arcolin, Gianluca Fiore, Antonio Travascio, Daniele Uberti, Francesco Amaddeo, Manlio Converti, Andrea Fiorillo, Massimo Mirandola, Federica Pinna, Antonio Ventriglio, Gian Maria Galeazzi","doi":"10.1080/09540261.2022.2053070","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2022.2053070","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Research evidence has consistently documented a higher risk of suicidality in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, and Queer (LGBTIQ) population. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to report a detailed description of research data regarding the risk of Attempted Suicide (SA), Suicide Ideation (SI), and Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) behaviours for LGBTIQ people and their subgroups. Medline, Scopus, PsycINFO, and EMBASE were searched for studies reporting a comparative estimation of SA, SI, and NSSI rates among LGBTIQ population and the general population (i.e. heterosexual/cisgender), without restrictions on participants' age and setting for the enrolment. Pooled analyses were based on odds ratios (ORs, with 95% CIs), estimated through inverse variance models with random effects. Fifty studies were selected for the quantitative synthesis and included fifty samples involving 3.735.601 controls and 87.252 LGBTIQ people. LGBTIQ people reported an increased risk of SA (OR:4.36[95%CI:3.32;5.71]), SI (OR:3.76[95%CI:3.02;4.69]), and NSSI (OR:4.24[95%CI:3.23;5.55]). Among LGBTIQ subgroups, the Bisexual group has shown the highest risk of suicidality (SA, OR:6.71; SI, OR:5.04; NSSI, OR: 5.03), followed by the Lesbian-Gay for attempted suicide (SA, OR:6.03), and the Transgender-Intersex-Queer for suicide ideation and non-suicidal self-injury (SI and NSSI, OR:3.42). The quality of the evidence ranged from low to moderate. Our findings have shown that LGBTIQ people report a higher risk of suicidality compared with their cisgender/heterosexual peers. This evidence may contribute to the public awareness on LGBTQI mental health needs and suggest supportive strategies as well as preventive interventions (e.g. supportive programs, counselling, and destigmatizing efforts) as parts of a tailored health-care planning aimed to reduce psychiatric morbidity and mortality in this at-risk population.</p>","PeriodicalId":306151,"journal":{"name":"International Review of Psychiatry (Abingdon, England)","volume":" ","pages":"240-256"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2022-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"33480326","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nicola Luigi Bragazzi, Rola Khamisy-Farah, Manlio Converti
{"title":"Ensuring equitable, inclusive and meaningful gender identity- and sexual orientation-related data collection in the healthcare sector: insights from a critical, pragmatic systematic review of the literature.","authors":"Nicola Luigi Bragazzi, Rola Khamisy-Farah, Manlio Converti","doi":"10.1080/09540261.2022.2076583","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2022.2076583","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In several countries, no gender identity- and sexual orientation-related data is routinely collected, if not for specific health or administrative/social purposes. Implementing and ensuring equitable and inclusive socio-demographic data collection is of paramount importance, given that the LGBTI community suffers from a disproportionate burden in terms of both communicable and non-communicable diseases. To the best of the authors' knowledge, there exists no systematic review addressing the methods that can be implemented in capturing gender identity- and sexual orientation-related data in the healthcare sector. A systematic literature review was conducted for filling in this gap of knowledge. Twenty-three articles were retained and analysed: two focussed on self-reported data, two on structured/semi-structured data, seven on text-mining, natural language processing, and other emerging artificial intelligence-based techniques, two on challenges in capturing sexual and gender-diverse populations, eight on the willingness to disclose gender identity and sexual orientation, and, finally, two on integrating structured and unstructured data. Our systematic literature review found that, despite the importance of collecting gender identity- and sexual orientation-related data and its increasing societal acceptance from the LGBTI community, several issues have to be addressed yet. Transgender, non-binary identities, and also intersex individuals remain often invisible and marginalized. In the last decades, there has been an increasing adoption of structured data. However, exploiting unstructured data seems to overperform in identifying LGBTI members, especially integrating structured and unstructured data. Self-declared/self-perceived/self-disclosed definitions, while being respectful of one's perception, may not completely be aligned with sexual behaviours and activities. Incorporating different levels of information (biological, socio-demographic, behavioural, and clinical) would enable overcoming this pitfall. A shift from a rigid/static nomenclature towards a more nuanced, dynamic, 'fuzzy' concept of a 'computable phenotype' has been proposed in the literature to capture the complexity of sexual identities and trajectories. On the other hand, excessive fragmentation has to be avoided considering that: (i) a full list of options including all gender identities and sexual orientations will never be available; (ii) these options should be easily understood by the general population, and (iii) these options should be consistent in such a way that can be compared among various studies and surveys. Only in this way, data collection can be clinically meaningful: that is to say, to impact clinical outcomes at the individual and population level, and to promote further research in the field.</p>","PeriodicalId":306151,"journal":{"name":"International Review of Psychiatry (Abingdon, England)","volume":" ","pages":"282-291"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2022-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"33479142","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Daniel D A Morris, Vanessa Fernandes, Katharine A Rimes
{"title":"Sexual minority service user perspectives on mental health treatment barriers to care and service improvements.","authors":"Daniel D A Morris, Vanessa Fernandes, Katharine A Rimes","doi":"10.1080/09540261.2022.2051445","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2022.2051445","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sexual minorities (individuals with a lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, or other non-heterosexual identity) are at elevated risk of developing common mental health disorders relative to heterosexual people, yet have less favourable mental health service experiences and poorer treatment outcomes. We investigated the experiences of sexual minority service users accessing mental health services for common mental health problems (e.g. depression or anxiety) in the UK. We recruited 26 sexual minority adults with experiences of being referred to Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) or primary care counselling services. Semi-structured interviews explored participants' experiences of service use and views on service development. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Barriers to effective relationships with practitioners included service users' fears surrounding disclosure, and practitioners' lack of understanding and/or neglect of discussions around sexuality. Regarding service development, participants highlighted the value of seeing practitioners with shared identities and experiences, visible signs of inclusivity, sexual minority training, tailored supports, and technological adjuncts. Our findings offer insights into possible contributory factors to treatment inequalities, and highlight potential methods for improving service provision for sexual minorities.</p>","PeriodicalId":306151,"journal":{"name":"International Review of Psychiatry (Abingdon, England)","volume":" ","pages":"230-239"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2022-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"33479932","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dinesh Bhugra, Helen Killaspy, Anindya Kar, Saul Levin, Egor Chumakov, Daniel Rogoza, Carol Harvey, Harjit Bagga, Yvonne Owino-Wamari, Ian Everall, Amie Bishop, Kenneth Ross Javate, Ian Westmore, Amir Ahuja, Julio Torales, Howard Rubin, Joao Castaldelli-Maia, Roger Ng, Gene A Nakajima, Petros Levounis, Antonio Ventriglio
{"title":"IRP commission: sexual minorities and mental health: global perspectives.","authors":"Dinesh Bhugra, Helen Killaspy, Anindya Kar, Saul Levin, Egor Chumakov, Daniel Rogoza, Carol Harvey, Harjit Bagga, Yvonne Owino-Wamari, Ian Everall, Amie Bishop, Kenneth Ross Javate, Ian Westmore, Amir Ahuja, Julio Torales, Howard Rubin, Joao Castaldelli-Maia, Roger Ng, Gene A Nakajima, Petros Levounis, Antonio Ventriglio","doi":"10.1080/09540261.2022.2045912","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2022.2045912","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sexual orientation is a key determinant of the identity of human beings. It has also been seen as a social determinant of health. People whose sexual orientation is non-heterosexual or sexual minorities or sexually diverse are included in the broad umbrella term LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) which is a commonly used acronym in activism, social policy, and subsequently cultural literature. For this reason, this Commission focuses primarily on sexual orientation i.e. lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) groups. We have used terms non-heterosexual, sexual minorities or sexual variation interchangeably. We have not considered asexual individuals as research in the field is too limited. We are cognisant of the fact that topics relating to mental health and sexual orientation discussed in this Commission will intersect with other issues of personal, cultural and social identity, and will thus be relevant to individuals including many transgender individuals. The inclusion of mental health issues relevant to gender-diverse individuals as well as gender identity is important and deserves its own separate detailed discussion. The exact number of sexually diverse individuals in a population is often difficult to estimate but is likely to be somewhere around 5% of the population. Rates of various psychiatry disorders and suicidal ideation and acts of suicide in LGB populations are higher than general population and these have been attributed to minority stress hypothesis. Elimination of inequality in law can lead to reduction in psychiatric morbidity in these groups. However, these are all diverse groups but even within each group there is diversity and each individual has a distinct and unique experiences, upbringing, responses to their own sexual orientation, and generating varying responses from families, peers and friends as well as communities (including healthcare professionals). The mental healthcare needs of sexual minority individuals vary and these variations must be taken into account in design, development and delivery of healthcare and policies. Improving access to services will help engagement and outcomes and also reduce stigma. The commission recommends that there is no role for so-called conversion therapies and other recommendations are made for clinicians, researchers and policymakers.</p>","PeriodicalId":306151,"journal":{"name":"International Review of Psychiatry (Abingdon, England)","volume":" ","pages":"171-199"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2022-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"33479935","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ana Beatriz Balieiro Abrahão, Guilherme Trevizan Kortas, Israel Kanaan Blaas, Gislaine Koch Gimenes, Kae Leopoldo, André Malbergier, Julio Torales, Antonio Ventriglio, João Mauricio Castaldelli-Maia
{"title":"The impact of discrimination on substance use disorders among sexual minorities.","authors":"Ana Beatriz Balieiro Abrahão, Guilherme Trevizan Kortas, Israel Kanaan Blaas, Gislaine Koch Gimenes, Kae Leopoldo, André Malbergier, Julio Torales, Antonio Ventriglio, João Mauricio Castaldelli-Maia","doi":"10.1080/09540261.2022.2094223","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2022.2094223","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This paper aimed to review the literature regarding the impact of discrimination on substance use disorders among Sexual Minorities (SM), with a focus on alcohol, opioids, stimulants, polydrug use, chemsex, cannabis and tobacco, as well as inequalities in the access to health care services. It is alarmingly clear that SM report higher rates of morbidity if compared to the general population. Health care delivery inequalities have also been reported in this special population. Also, the lack of data from low- and middle-income countries on substance use among SM is a major concern. Certainly, discrimination play a key-role among leading factors to substance abuse, continued use, disorders, and lower levels of preventive and treatment interventions. However, it may be difficult to estimate the impact of discrimination because of the lack of research data and different methodologies of literature studies. Moreover, SM are differently categorized and defined and evidences may be not comparable between studies. There is an urgent need of strategic guidelines and research investments aimed at prioritizing these populations disproportionately impacted by substance use. Equity-oriented policies and programs can facilitate opportunities and decrease substance use in these vulnerable subgroups, including community- and peer-led initiatives and nonjudgmental and inclusive health services.</p>","PeriodicalId":306151,"journal":{"name":"International Review of Psychiatry (Abingdon, England)","volume":" ","pages":"423-431"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2022-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"33479936","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gaia Sampogna, Antonio Ventriglio, Matteo Di Vincenzo, Valeria Del Vecchio, Vincenzo Giallonardo, Valeria Bianchini, Andrea Fiorillo
{"title":"Mental health and well-being of LGBTQ+ people during the COVID-19 pandemic.","authors":"Gaia Sampogna, Antonio Ventriglio, Matteo Di Vincenzo, Valeria Del Vecchio, Vincenzo Giallonardo, Valeria Bianchini, Andrea Fiorillo","doi":"10.1080/09540261.2021.2019686","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2021.2019686","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound negative impact on the mental health of the general population. The COVID-19 pandemic and its related containment measures have increased structural disadvantages faced by marginalized communities, such as LGBTQ+ people. LGBTQ+ is an acronym used to identify lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people plus all community members using different terms to describe their sexual orientation or gender identity. It is likely that the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed them to increased minority stress, which can also affect their physical health. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the few available studies on the mental health of LGBTQ+ have reported frequent worries about the future, negative emotions, and feelings of uncertainty. Moreover, they have faced further difficulties such as undertaking hormone therapy, accessing to health facilities or living with family members not accepting their condition. The COVID-19 pandemic has added a significant burden to the well-being of LGBTQ+ people, and therefore there is the need to provide them with dedicated supportive interventions in order to promote the early detection of mental health problems or of full-blown mental disorders.","PeriodicalId":306151,"journal":{"name":"International Review of Psychiatry (Abingdon, England)","volume":" ","pages":"432-438"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2022-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"33480325","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Antonio Ventriglio, Massimo Mirandola, Gian Maria Galeazzi, Francesco Amaddeo, Federica Pinna, Manlio Converti, Andrea Fiorillo
{"title":"Mental health for LGBTQI people: a policies' review.","authors":"Antonio Ventriglio, Massimo Mirandola, Gian Maria Galeazzi, Francesco Amaddeo, Federica Pinna, Manlio Converti, Andrea Fiorillo","doi":"10.1080/09540261.2022.2052266","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2022.2052266","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The mental health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersexual (LGBTQI) individuals is significantly influenced by many factors such as difficulties in coming-out, poor acceptance, isolation and discrimination as well as minority-related stress. LGBTQI individuals, in fact, show a significant higher risk of mental health conditions, substance- use disorders and suicide. In addition, mental health services access may be difficult for personal and social barriers as well as a lack of adequate and specific mental health support. This review aims to assess and describe international policies, guidelines, position statements and recommendations regarding the promotion and protection of mental health rights for LGBTQI people. The search has been focussed on peer-reviewed papers, Governmental and Mental Health Association- Guidelines and Position Statements, Health Agencies - Guidelines and Position Statements (with a specific focus on mental health), LGBTQI Alliances and Foundations Publishing (with a specific focus on mental health). In addition, relevant international initiatives, and projects in the field of LGBTQI mental health will be described.</p>","PeriodicalId":306151,"journal":{"name":"International Review of Psychiatry (Abingdon, England)","volume":" ","pages":"200-214"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8,"publicationDate":"2022-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"33492049","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}