Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are at higher risk of some mental health problems and alcohol and substance misuse. This can be related to the discrimination and lack of understanding they face in society.

Being gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, transsexual or transvestite is not a mental illness – although the World Health Organisation only removed homosexuality as a formal psychiatric diagnosis in 1992.

But coming to terms with an identity that is different to that of most of your peers, or coping with ignorance, prejudice and discrimination, can be confusing and distressing. People who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender are at greater risk of some mental health problems and alcohol/drug misuse.