Lets talk about sex.... - Auckland District Health Board

14 Introduction
ADHB funding and planning are adopting an evidence based approach to the development and
delivery of services. As part of this process, they are utilising a project based approach to planning
and examining services across a spectrum or continuum of delivery.
Research suggests that discrimination has a negative impact on the mental health of Rainbow
people. For lesbians, gay men and bisexual people, these higher prevalence rates of mental health
problems are commonly theorised as being a consequence of living in homonegative societies
(Bailey, 1999; Fergusson, Horwood, & Beautrais, 1999; Fergusson, Horwood, Ridder, & Beautrais,
2005; Meyer, 2003; Sandfort, de Graaf, Bijl, & Schnabel, 2001). In support of this hypothesis, there
is a developing body of research showing that people who have experienced anti-homosexual
violence, whether physical, sexual, or verbal, are at increased risk of mental health problems
(D’Augelli, 2002; Herek, Gillis, & Cogan, 1999; Otis & Skinner, 1996; Rivers, 2001).
Many Rainbow people are reluctant to disclose their sexual orientation to their clinician or health
professional because they fear discrimination or poor treatment. This has been found in studies in
New Zealand (Semp, 2006) and overseas (Daley, 2010; Golding, 1997; Robertson, 1998).
There is less research about trans people’s experience of mental illness. This suggests that trans
people are more likely to have many of the risk factors identified above and experience high rates
of discrimination (HRC, 2008).
There is little specific data collected on service user’s sexual orientation (S.O.) or gender identity
(G.I.), and little research in New Zealand on how mental health and addiction services are received
by Rainbow peoples; including identification of specific barriers or obstacles they face when
accessing those services.
Detailed information about specific barriers and/or obstacles is required to enable services to
adjust their delivery of services as required to better meet the mental health and addiction needs
of the Rainbow communities in New Zealand.