‘Stark but unsurprising’: MindOut responds to ONS mortality data on LGB+ people

LGBTQ+ mental health charity MindOut has called for urgent government and health system action after newly published Office for National Statistics (ONS) data revealed significantly higher mortality rates among LGB+ people.

The ONS analysis of all-cause and cause-specific mortality by sexual orientation shows that people identifying as lesbian, gay or bisexual face a 30% higher risk of death from any cause compared with heterosexual people. The report also found drug-poisoning deaths were almost three times higher, while alcohol-specific deaths were 80% higher among LGB+ people. Suicide was identified as a disproportionately significant cause of death, particularly among younger age groups.

Responding to the findings, MindOut described the figures as “stark but unsurprising”, warning that they reflect long-standing and preventable inequalities.

Peter Nesbitt, Charity Director at MindOut, said: “These figures confirm what LGBTQ+ communities and frontline services like ours have known for decades: discrimination, minority stress and barriers to healthcare shorten lives. What is most troubling is that these deaths are preventable.”

The decision not to include gender identity leaves a significant and unacceptable gap.

MindOut also raised concerns that the ONS analysis does not include gender identity, meaning trans and non-binary people are absent from the data despite well-documented health inequalities affecting those communities.

In a statement, the organisation said: “The decision not to include gender identity leaves a significant and unacceptable gap. Without data on trans and non-binary people, the true scale of health inequalities across LGBTQ+ communities cannot be fully understood or addressed.”

The charity has urged the ONS to adopt an intersectional approach in future releases, highlighting that LGBTQ+ people who are also disabled or from racialised communities face compounded health risks.

MindOut, which is run by and for LGBTQ+ people, supports thousands of individuals each year through peer support, mental health advocacy, mentoring, suicide prevention and early-intervention programmes. The organisation reports rising levels of distress linked to homelessness, discrimination, substance use, poverty and violence - all factors known to contribute to poorer health outcomes and early mortality.

The charity is currently working with national partners including the National Suicide Prevention Network and The People’s Health Trust to strengthen evidence around LGBTQ+ health inequalities and ensure lived experience informs national strategy.

Other sector organisations, including LGBT Foundation and London Friend, have echoed MindOut’s concerns, describing the ONS findings as a “wake-up call” and stressing the need for inclusive, culturally competent healthcare free from discrimination and stigma.

MindOut is calling for urgent action across five key areas, including increased investment in specialist LGBTQ+ mental health services, a national commitment to inclusive healthcare, stronger action on social determinants of health, improved national data collection - including the immediate inclusion of gender identity - and long-term systemic and cultural change to tackle discrimination and stigma.

Mr Nesbitt added: “Higher mortality rates among LGBTQ+ people are not a reflection of who we are - they are a reflection of the unequal conditions we live in. These outcomes are avoidable. They demand urgent action, not further delay.”

MindOut said it will continue working with NHS bodies, public health teams, commissioners and community organisations to ensure the ONS findings lead to meaningful and lasting change.