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Stephen Gilbert MP writes: How do we deal with the high prevalence of suicides in the LGBT community?

July 22, 2011 10:46 AM

Gilbert MP• [Jul 01] Stephen Gilbert* writes: WE all know how the following story works. Governments use stats to demonstrate the problem. And then they give us their answer. The more shocking the figures, so it goes, the greater the need for bold action. But too often we don't consider the human impact of these figures. Let me give you an example. This week I learnt that every two hours one person dies as a result of suicide in England . .

The Government's suicide prevention strategy makes a couple of useful suggestions:

• The first focuses on effective local intervention . .

• One other area is how we can provide national action to support local approaches. . .

The fact that the risk of suicide is higher in the LGBT community doesn't make it any more of a tragedy. But it does make you think about how we can help spot the early signs of suicidal depression amongst LGBT people. As a gay MP, I take pride in the fact that this Coalition Government, and indeed a Liberal Democrat Minister, has been bold enough to ask this question.

* MP for St Austell and Newquay

• Stephen Gilbert MP writes: How do we deal with the high prevalence of suicides in the LGBT community? [Lib Dem Voice Jul 21]

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