Sexual Minority Service User Perspectives on Mental Health Treatment Barriers to Care and Service Improvements

TY - JOUR

T1 - Sexual Minority Service User Perspectives on Mental Health Treatment Barriers to Care and Service Improvements

AU - Morris, Daniel

AU - Fernandes, Vanessa

AU - Rimes, Katharine

PY - 2022

Y1 - 2022

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85130056068&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1080/09540261.2022.2051445

DO - 10.1080/09540261.2022.2051445

M3 - Article

SN - 0954-0261

VL - 34

SP - 230

EP - 239

JO - International Review of Psychiatry

JF - International Review of Psychiatry

IS - 3-4

ER -