Podcast: Providing Effective Approaches to Tackle Mental Health Inequality in LGBTIQ+ Populations

In July this year Dr Bilal Karimbocus joined GLE’s Peter Molyneux to record a podcast. This is part of GLE’s programme of podcasts we are doing in the run-up to next June’s Leadership Exchange in Ottawa with the Leadership Exchange theme of “Ideas into Action: Inspiring Leaders to Mobilise Collective Solutions”. You can access the podcast here.

Bilal is this year’s winner of the 2025 RCPsych Rainbow Special Interest Group Essay Prize that is awarded each year in memory of Professor Michael King. The title of this year’s prize is “Providing Effective Approaches to Tackle Mental Health Inequality in LGBTIQ+ Populations”. The mental health of LGBTIQ+ populations has been shown to be worse than the general population. This can be viewed through the lens of stigma and discrimination. Discriminative practices and negative attitudes can lead to significant consequences for the health and well-being of LGBTIQ+ patients and colleagues.

In his essay, Bilal sets out how we can all work to better understand and meet the needs of LGBTIQ+ populations and sets out four practical steps that can be used to tackle these inequalities i) knowledge of LGBTQ+ culture and health; ii) skills to work with LGBTQ+ clients; iii) attitudes towards LGBTQ+ clients and iv) behaviours towards LGBTQ+ affirming practices. In the podcast, he discusses the importance of being curious in a way that is meaningful and safe for everyone as a way of getting a full picture of peoples’ circumstances and needs. He also talks about the importance of visibility as a key part of setting the right organizational culture. We are very grateful to Bilal for talking to us and sharing his experiences and learning. You can read the full essay here.