Celebrating Diversity, Promoting Equality, Supporting Mental Health

What is Pride Month?

Pride Month, marked every June across the UK and beyond, is a time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community,  a powerful and diverse group of individuals united by identity, resilience, and pride.

It commemorates the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in New York, a turning point in the global LGBTQ+ rights movement. Since then, Pride has grown into a symbol of progress, protest, and solidarity. Across the UK, from London to Leeds, Brighton to Belfast, Pride events offer visibility, joy, and a vital reminder of the ongoing fight for equality.

Why Pride Still Matters

While the UK has made great strides in LGBTQ+ rights, including equal marriage and anti-discrimination laws, many in the community still face inequality, stigma, and exclusion.

Pride is not just a celebration:  it’s a call for change. It reminds us of those still marginalised, and honours the activism that brought us this far. It’s also a time to uplift LGBTQ+ voices and recognise the richness they bring to our society.

LGBTQ+ Mental Health in the UK: The Urgent Reality

Pride Month also shines a light on the mental health challenges disproportionately affecting LGBTQ+ people — challenges that are too often overlooked.

Mental Health and Suicide Statistics in the UK:

  • LGBTQ+ people are more than twice as likely to experience mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.

  • Around half of LGBTQ+ people have experienced suicidal thoughts, with young people, trans and non-binary individuals at particularly high risk.

  • Homophobia, transphobia, family rejection, and barriers to accessing inclusive healthcare all contribute to poorer mental health outcomes.

A Stonewall study found that:

  • 1 in 8 LGBTQ+ people aged 18–24 said they had attempted to take their own life in the past year.

  • Almost half of trans people had thought about taking their own life.

These are not just statistics — they’re lived realities.

Why Support Saves Lives

Evidence shows that when LGBTQ+ people are supported and affirmed, their mental health improves. Acceptance from family, community, workplaces, and health services can be life-changing and lifesaving.

We’re committed to improving mental health and suicide prevention for everyone and that includes recognising the specific needs of LGBTQ+ individuals. This Pride Month, we’re standing with the LGBTQ+ community and calling for greater awareness, access to mental health services, and inclusive support for all.

How You Can Make a Difference

  • Be an Ally: Speak up against discrimination, promote inclusion, and educate yourself about LGBTQ+ issues.

  • Support LGBTQ+ Charities: Many organisations in the UK are doing vital work: from youth support groups to mental health helplines.

  • Create Safe Spaces: Whether at home, work, or school, create environments where LGBTQ+ people feel seen and valued.

  • Check In: A simple message of support can make all the difference. Let your LGBTQ+ friends, family, or colleagues know you’re there for them.

 

Essex Pride 
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