Purpose
Lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) individuals experience higher rates of mental health difficulties in comparison to their heterosexual counterparts (Meyer, 2003; Plöderl and Tremblay, 2015). This is in part due to the experience of homophobia and stigmatisation within society. This discrimination has also been perpetuated within the mental health field, where LGB individual’s sexuality has been pathologised. In response to this historical stigmatisation a number of policies have been created to develop ethical practice while working with this minority group (APA, 2012; BPS, 2019; HSE, 2009; PSI, 2015). The purpose of this paper is to capture the experience of LGB individuals within mental health services and examine if these guidelines are being adhered to.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is a meta-narrative synthesis of 13 empirical papers, published between 1999 and 2019.
Findings
This study has found both negative and positive experiences of service users. The paper discusses major themes, implications for practice and directions for future research.
Originality/value
This is the first systematic review to look at the experiences of clients who have attended mental health services.