LGBTQ+ Mental Health Research Group

The LGBTQ+ Mental Health Research Group is a leading research unit that aims to advance scientific knowledge about the causes of mental health problems among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ+) people and use that knowledge to develop new and better treatments.

We work with community, patient, and partner organisations including our clinical colleagues in the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and many national and international collaborators.

Our aims are:

To study biological, psychological and social factors which contribute to the mental health of LGBTQ+ people.
To apply the findings from this research to develop interventions to reduce mental health problems in LGBTQ+ people.
We also conduct scientific research to increase our understanding about the origins and development of sexual and gender minority identities, sexual interests, and sexuality in general.
To use methods from experimental psychology, clinical and health psychology, genetics, biology, epidemiology and neuroscience to help identify contributory factors. We also conduct research on LGBTQ+ people’s experience of mental health interventions.
To develop an active research portfolio on gender identity and people who are gender diverse, their needs and potential supports.
To conduct research in the spirit of open inquiry and constructive disagreement.
To provide a flourishing culture, critical mass, and multi-disciplinary expertise to accelerate the depth, quality & speed of knowledge generation. We want to attract, develop and engage in large national and international funded projects.
To produce the next generation of research leaders in LGBTQ+ mental health and basic research.
To influence policy and practice in relation to research, treatment, services and training in LGBTQ+ mental health.

Our collaborating organisations include METRO Charity, Schools Out, the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and Student Minds.