Sin espacios seguros no hay salud mental: el movimiento asociativo SALUD MENTAL ESPAÑA reivindica apoyo y pertenencia para las personas LGTBIQ+
On the occasion of International LGTBIQ+ Pride Daywhich is celebrated next June 28, from the associative movement SALUD MENTAL ESPAÑA we launch an awareness campaign under the motto ‘Mental health begins where you can feel a part’with the collaboration of Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption and Agenda 2030.
The initiative demands safe, respectful and inclusive spaces for LGTBIQ+ people, as a basis for good mental health. It does so through a series of infographics disseminated on networks with the label #LGTBIQMentalHealthwhich can be downloaded at this link.
According to the study ‘The situation of mental health in Spain’, prepared by SALUD MENTAL ESPAÑA and the Mutua Madrileña Foundation, LGTBIQ+ people report more than twice as many suicide attempts or ideas (32.1% vs. 14.5%), as well as self-harm (19.5% vs. 9%).Besides, They have worse mental health and, to a greater extent, anxiety attacks (64.9%), depression (55.4%) and prolonged anxiety (48.2%).
Their life experiences show a society that is still hostile to the group, as revealed by the ‘LGTBI+ State 2026’ report: more than half of LGTBI+ people have experienced an episode of hate in the last year (54%). At the educational level, the 22.8% of the LGTBI+ population have suffered acts of hatred during his school years.
“Without the freedom of be and being able to show who you are without fear, there is no mental health possible”affirms Nel González Zapico, president of the SPAIN MENTAL HEALTH Confederation. «In mental health, we know the impact of stigma and discrimination. Therefore, we defend human rights and We demand to eradicate the irrational hatred suffered by LGTBIQ+ people”Adds González.
In the face of prejudice, discrimination and violence to which people with dissident, that is, non-normative, sex-gender identities and orientations are frequently subjected, The SPAIN MENTAL HEALTH Confederation demands social environments where acceptance, support and respect predominate in people’s daily lives.
“Knowledge, information, coexistence with people of any sexual orientation, promote living without fear and well-being”point María Isabel García Peñaactivist Mental Health Euskadi and member of the State Network of Women and the Committee for Mental Health in First Person of the CONfederation SALUD MENTAL ESPAÑA.
An accompanying community protects mental health.
In 2025, UN 20.9% of LGTBI+ people declared that they had not came out of the closetas this visibility process is known. Research shows a connection between environment and manifestation of identity and sexual orientation: «It is easier to come out of the closet with close friends than with coworkers. And it is particularly difficult to come out at school or institutes,» says the report ‘Socioeconomic Status 2025’, published by the State Federation of Lesbians, Gays, Trans, Bisexuals, Intersexuals and more (FELGTBI+).» And according to the Transaludes Study, only 10% of trans and/or non-binary people have made themselves visible in all spheres of their lives.
In the workplace, a 40% of LGTBI working people have suffered some type of verbal violence at workaccording to a UGT study, while 44% hide their sexual orientation or gender identity to find employment, and the 40% of trans people claims to have been rejected in interviews by prejudices towards their gender identity.
With a positive and constructive character, the new edition of #SaludMentalLGTBIQ+ makes visible the protective factors of mental health of the people in the group: listening, understanding, accompaniment and the creation of support networks. A society is defended with spaces where all people can show yourself as a sonin which grow does not mean hiding, where there is access to health care dignified and without discriminationthe diversity It is not reduced to clichés, it is safe and it is not scary to return home, and classrooms are safe spaces for respect and belonging.
he associative movement of MENTAL HEALTH SPAINMade up of more than 360 associations at the state level, it is an example of welcome and understanding, a safe place for thousands of people, with experience in mental health or family members, who come looking for help.
María Isabel García Peña recognizes the benefits, in terms of mental health, of participating in safe community spaces. “I remember situations in which I felt heard, understood and supported It has helped me live with more freedom and be more myselffor example, in the sexuality workshops that we received a few years ago at the association ASASAM of the Euskadi Mental Health Federation.”
In her experience, “these sexuality workshops and the individual sessions, which we received through a sexologist, have favored my personal growthmy well-being and improved the community social environment, promoting the recovery of people with mental health problems. Besides, communication in the closest environment, family and friends It is also important.”
