NHS Lothian’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) has been formally recognised for its efforts to make services more inclusive and affirming for LGBTQ+ young people.
The service has been awarded the LGBT Charter, at Foundation Level, for its ongoing commitment to making LGBTQ+ young people feel safe, supported and included.
The Charter is a national initiative designed by LGBT Youth Scotland to support organisations and help empower staff to proactively include LGBTQ+ individuals in every aspect of their work.
Over the last year, CAMHS staff have been dedicated to undertaking training, enhancing policies and improving practice to ensure they are as inclusive as possible.
This work also reflects NHS Lothian’s broader commitment to equality and delivering high-quality, inclusive care rooted in its core values of compassion, dignity and respect.
“We’re proud of CAMHS for receiving the Charter and taking this important step towards ensuring all staff have the skills, knowledge and confidence to better support LGBTQ+ young people.
“Our teams work hard to make everyone feel safe and welcome. This award reflects their dedication to respecting everyone, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation”
Research from LGBT Youth Scotland highlights LGBTQ+ young people face significantly higher rates of mental health challenges, with trans youth particularly vulnerable to anxiety, depression and suicide.
Ann Marriott, Youth Work Manager (East) for LGBT Youth Scotland, said:
“There is an urgent need for LGBTQ+ young people to be able to access inclusive, affirming mental health support equipped to meet their needs.
“By undertaking the LGBT Charter, NHS Lothian CAMHS is helping lead the way, embedding inclusion across policies, training and service delivery and showing what meaningful change looks like.”
CAMHS was commended for creating safer, more informed spaces shaped by direct consultation with young people. Feedback revealed LGBTQ+ youth want to feel supported, validated and heard and to have their preferred names and pronouns respected.
In response, CAMHS staff signed a pledge to use individuals names and pronouns, adopting an age-appropriate approach to ask how people wish to be addressed in ways that affirm their identity.
Following the Charter process, staff have reported being more confident speaking to LGBTQ+ young people about the issues affecting them, which is helping build stronger therapeutic relationships.
CAMHS is now expanding its LGBTQ+ champions network to continue improving services, increase visibility of inclusive materials and resources and deepen engagement with patients and staff.
ENDS
* Research Sources: LGBT Youth Scotland, Life in Scotland Health Reports
