Why we need more LGBTQ+ people in social work

According to Stonewall one in five LGBTQ+ people do not come out to their healthcare professional and one in seven have avoided treatment for fear of discrimination.

Even when people are struggling with their mental health, they are often worried about the discrimination they may face when accessing the support that they need.

It is crucial that the mental health workforce is representative of the communities they work with – ensuring all LGBTQ+ people feel safe, heard, respected and advocated for. Kally, Saffron and Phoebe each share their perspectives on why we need more LGBTQ+ people in social work.

Kally, Mental Health Social Worker

As an LGBTQ+ social worker, the learning that we got on Think Ahead’s programme helped me consider how I’ve been potentially discriminated against in the past and how I can use my unique voice to support others.

It’s about allowing someone to feel their authentic self and be able to open up.

Kally, Mental Health Social Worker

I’ve got a few LGBTQ+ people on my caseload, and although we don’t necessarily talk about our specifics, they do feel safe with me and will talk to me.

We know that 1 in 8 LGBTQ+ people will attempt suicide – that rises to 1 in 4 for transgender people. Everyone’s an expert in their own lives but we can ask: how is this impacting your mental health? What can we do about it?

As part of my dissertation, I chose to look at how effective social workers are in engaging with LGBTQ+ communities in mental health services. I’ve been able to utilise the research to look at how we can improve in my own team.

As social workers, we want to give people that voice, let them know that they are safe and that we will advocate for them.

Saffron, Lived Experience Partner

Having a good social worker who I could be honest with had such a huge impact on my confidence, wellbeing and mental health.

I really do think social workers are more influential than any other service. They can make such a difference when they listen to the people that they’re working with.

Saffron, lived experience partner

Over time I started to share things I was worried about, which had a lot to do with my identity. Being in hospital a lot meant I fell behind socially and it was confusing navigating those things alone.

For people wanting to go into social work, my main advice would be to go in with an open mind and use your own life experience to support people. When you can learn from other people’s experiences and relate to them using your own, it’s invaluable.

It’s not a skill you can teach – it comes from you.

Phoebe, Think Ahead Practice Specialist

Social work is not just about helping people, it’s about empowering people.
A lot of people have never been listened to. That’s a key thing when we’re talking about the LGBTQ+ community – there is a real lack of being heard and a lack of understanding from professionals.

I think that’s why it is so important to have people from the LGBTQ+ community in social work. The more people in the workforce who understand LGBTQ+ experiences, the more the people we’re working with will feel listened to.

For me, that’s the most important part about being a social worker: making sure the people you’re working with can feel heard for the first time in years.