Scheme to tackle impact of gay hate crimes launched

A PROJECT to tackle mental health issues among the Lothians' gay community has been launched.

The health board wants to address issues specific to that group and reduce rates of self-harm, suicide and depression.

The LGBT Mental Health and Wellbeing Programme is aimed at addressing the effect of hate crimes and discrimination such people may experience and reduce the impact on their psychiatric wellbeing. Linda Irvine, strategic programme manager for mental health and wellbeing for NHS Lothian, said: "The LGBT community has been identified as a group which can be at higher risk of having mental health problems.

"This can sometimes be linked to a feeling of isolation, or social exclusion.

"This project will provide learning on how we can tailor the services on offer, and help to tackle the mental health risk factors, which can affect people in the LGBT community."