Background to the Research

• There is a lack of sufficient, relevant and contemporary local and national materials on the mental and emotional health of young gay and bisexual men. Existing research suggests that these young men are more likely to suffer from mental health problems, including suicidal ideation and self-harm, than their heterosexual counterparts. These difficulties are reported to have arisen, not from homosexuality per se, but through growing up in a heterosexist society where homophobia is widely accepted. This report aimed to investigate the perceived and expressed mental health needs of young same-sex attracted men in NI, and to explore how their mental health has been affected by society's attitudes.
  

Research Approach

• A large scale quantitative survey (190 questionnaires fully completed) was followed by face-to-face interviews (16 young men), with the target population for both being same-sex attracted men aged 25 years or under, who either currently lived in, or were brought up in NI.
• The survey included the GHQ-12, Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Inventory and an adapted questionnaire on internalised homophobia.
  

Main Findings

• 93.4% of respondents identified as gay or bisexual, while 5.8% identified as 'Men who have sex with men' or 'Not heterosexual'.
• 32.4% of respondents had a potential psychiatric disorder (measured by the GHQ-12 score) and 34.4% had been diagnosed with a mental illness at some time in their lives. A total of 37.9% received professional help and a further 3.2% had been referred for professional help and had not followed it through. Two-thirds of those who received professional help said it was related to their same-sex attraction.
• The impact of negativity when coming out, isolation, difficulties in school and work related to sexual orientation and societal homophobia, all impacted on mental health. The key predictor of showing signs of a potential mental health difficulty (GHQ of four or more) was the absence of someone to talk to. This was also the only significant factor that explained lower self-esteem.
• 27.1% of the respondents had attempted suicide and 71.3% had thought about suicide. 80.5% of those who had suicidal thoughts indicated that these were related to their same-sex attraction. 30.7% of respondents had self-harmed - 20.6% had done so more than once. 64.4% of those who had self-harmed indicated that the self-harming was related to their same-sex attraction.
• A combination of factors contributed to suicidal thoughts, attempts and self-harm. Homonegative experiences in school were crucial, with experience of bullying being a key factor in predicting suicide attempts and homophobia from other pupils being a key factor in respondents considering suicide, as was homophobia from neighbours or other key tenants. Those who had attempted suicide attributed these attempts, partly, to difficulties with their sexual orientation.
• Some of the young men were found to hold negative beliefs about their sexual orientation and to fear society's attitudes to non-heterosexual people. Those respondents with a higher score on the internalised homophobia scale were more likely to have lower self esteem, show signs of a mental health difficulty and consider suicide.
• The young men spoke of factors affecting their mental health, including difficulties accepting their sexuality; a shortage of people that understood what they were going through; homophobia in school, at home and in society; and loneliness and isolation.
• The attitudes of family members were another common topic, with some interviewees describing blatant homophobia. Two-fifths of respondents moved out of home due to negativity to their sexual orientation, which was a key predictor for suicidal thoughts. There was an acknowledgement that tensions improved over time, with families growing to accept their sexual orientation. However, it transpired that this was often superficial, for example the issue would not be discussed and the young man would continue to feel isolated.
• The research confirmed that most young men realise their sexual orientation while at school. 65.3% experienced some difficulties in school related to sexual orientation, with homophobia from other pupils and bullying being most common. Those bullied in school were more likely to have been diagnosed with a mental health problem, been referred for professional help, have a lower self-esteem, have self-harmed, have considered suicide and have attempted suicide.
• Homophobia from teaching staff was also a key factor in explaining higher GHQ-12 scores and referral for professional help. Two-thirds of respondents stated that they would like to see more training in schools as well as the issue of sexuality being covered in the education system.
• Homonegative and heterosexist attitudes were shown to be widespread in NI; 33.9% of respondents experienced negative attitudes at work due to their sexual orientation. Outside school, the most common place to experience homophobia was in an open place. Two-fifths experienced homophobia while receiving goods, facilities or services, while 16.3% were subject to homophobia from their neighbours or other tenants. The repeated instances of homophobia, rather than single instances, appeared to have a negative effect on the mental health of these young men.
• While support groups for young same-sex attracted men exist, 55.3% of respondents had not used these, for practical reasons of distant location and lack of knowledge of them, as well as being too anxious. The young gay men often sought other young LGB persons through the internet and the gay scene. However, these sources have been shown to do nothing to discourage self-destructive behaviours.

Conclusions

• The mental health of young same-sex attracted men has been shown to be affected by a range of factors, meaning the mental health of this population cannot easily be addressed - LGB youth groups, personal development courses and individual counselling all have parts to play.
• Changes also need to be made in the psyche of our culture, as many facets of society remain heterosexist and homophobic.
• The report ends with recommendations, including: central government funded, specific training and resources on different sexual orientations provided to all professionals working with young people; current government strategies and action plans should take on the findings of this report; awareness in schools of the existence of non-heterosexual students; government funding for specific LGB youth groups in NI and the development and dissemination of other specific resources; government support for personal development courses; resources for parents and families; financial backing to the Equality Commission's implementation of the new anti-discrimination legislation; and support/funding for further research.