LGBTQ+ people are at higher risk of experiencing mental health conditions and and substance misuse, compared to cisgender, heterosxeual people, according research analyzing data of 10,433 people in England aged 16-64, by University College London, published in February.

The prevalence of depression and anxiety was 40 percent for bisexual people, 20 percent for gay and lesbian people, and 16 percent for heterosexuals; the risk of substance misuse was 37 percent for bisexual respondants, 25 percent for gay and lesbian people, and 10.5 percent for heterosexuals.

“What this study highlights is the significant and ongoing disparity in mental health between LGB people and heterosexual people, as evidenced by higher levels of mental health problems and alcohol and drug misuse,” the study’s lead author Dr Alexandra Pitman said in a statement.

“In order to reduce this persistent inequality in society, we must ensure that health and social care professionals are better trained to identify and care for the wellbeing and mental health needs of sexual minority groups, who are often made to feel invisible within national health systems,” Pitman said.

Along with the need for systemic change in healthcare, LGBTQ+ folks are creating sober queer spaces in the UK to find belonging through ways that are affirming to their sobriety.

An article by Ella Braidwood on Huffpost documents these spaces, and the need to protect them: https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/new-queer-sober-spaces_uk_619f9679e4b025be1ae69f01

This study doesn’t seem to mention trans folks, who are at higher risk of substance misuse than cisgender people.