62 per cent of LGBT+ people have experienced suicidal thoughts as a result of bullying

An annual survey has found 62 per cent of respondents within the LGBT+ community experienced suicidal thoughts as a result of bullying.

The Annual Bullying Survey 2018 published their findings, based from 9,000 young people questioned in the UK.

The upsetting results of the survey found that 43 per cent of the people asked from the LGBT+ community have been bullied in the past 12 months alone.

A worrying 62 per cent of those said they experienced suicidal thoughts as a result of the bullying.

The research is shining a much-needed light on the current climate of bullying for young people and are calling for victims and witnesses to report bullying.

Liam Hackett, CEO of Ditch the Label, comments:

Unfortunately, bullying remains a real issue in the UK with anyone identifying as LGBT+ among the worst affected. LGBT+ young people are further affected by the impact of heteronormativity within wider society.

The charity surveyed 9,150 young people aged 12 to 20, in partnership with schools and colleges across the country.

The impact of bullying on mental health shows a concerning trend, most notably amongst the LGBT+ community. A staggering 31 per cent had attempted suicide as a result of being bullied, with 51 per cent admitting to self harming.

Ten per cent of respondents said bullying was happening on a daily basis. Over half of the young people said they thought they were being bullied solely because of their appearance, while one in five said they were accused of being gay or lesbian when they aren't.

Liam Hackett continues:

Bullying is having a real effect on young people’s lives, which is why we created Ditch the Label.

We want to promote equality and give young people the confidence to overcome the devastating effects of bullying by providing the best emotional, psychological and physical support possible.

The charity questioned witnesses of bullying as well, and one third (32 per cent) admitted to ‘rarely’ or ‘never’ trying to stop what they were watching. Which, in case you're wondering, is absolutely horrifying.

Ditch the Label are using the information to galvanise young people to change from 'bystanders into upstanders' to help end bullying, which they can do anonymously by making the most of new reporting technology such as the ‘Trusted Flagger’ tool.

The survey also uncovered who was doing the bullying, 59 per cent said it was from a class mate, one third (33 per cent) an ex-friend, and 29 per cent from a current friend. One in ten (9 per cent) of young people said they were bullied by a teacher and 8 per cent by a family member.

Anne Longfield, The Children’s Commissioner for England, said:

It is worrying that one in five children are experiencing some form of bullying. The impact bullying has on children can be enormous, affecting a child’s confidence, self-esteem and their mental health. Ditch the Label’s survey shows how bullying is blighting the lives of hundreds of thousands of children.

Read more: Christians attend Pride parade with placards reading: ‘I’m sorry for the ways we have harmed the LGBT community’