SSM-Mental Health study discovered that lesbian, gay, bisexual or other sexual minority identity women in the US and Canada are 50 per cent more likely to experience mental health conditions during pregnancy.
Researchers also found that the group, which also includes women who are attracted to women or have women partners, are less likely to take antidepressants during the postpartum period until their postnatal depression symptoms become severe.
The study, led by University College London (UCL) researchers and published in the international Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology journal, surveyed 10,443 people aged 16 and over in England and found an increased likelihood of suicidal thoughts among lesbian and gay adults compared to straight adults, as well as increased likelihood of self-harm among LGB adults.
The survey also found that depression, anxiety and experiences of discrimination or bullying could contribute in part to these increased risks, with one in five lesbian or gay adults reporting that they had experienced homophobic discrimination within the past year.
Read more at ThePinkNews.com.
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